Feb 2 1971
From The Space Library
February 2-4: North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Natosat 2 (Nato 2; NATO-B) military comsat was launched from ETR at 8:41 am EST by NASA for USAF and NATO by thrust-augmented Thor-Delta booster. Spacecraft entered transfer orbit with 37 712.2-km (23 433.3-mi) apogee, 272.9-km (169.6-mi) perigee, 673.9-min period, and 25.9° inclination. Primary NASA objective was to place spacecraft into transfer orbit accurate enough for onboard propulsion systems to place spacecraft in acceptable synchronous orbit. Apogee motor was fired at 11:56 pm EST Feb. 4, placing Natosat 2 into circular orbit with 37 053.0-km (23 023.7-mi) apogee, 34 493.6-km (21433.3-mi) perigee, and 0° inclination. Spacecraft would drift about 1° per day from 135° east longitude until it reached permanent station over Atlantic at 26° west longitude in late March. Natosat 2 was second of two NATO comsats launched under DOD-NATO agreement. USAF managed project for DOD and would reimburse NASA for launch services. NATO would reimburse us. Initial operation of satellite telemetry and command functions were performed from USAF satellite control facility. Control of orbital operations would be transferred to NATO after spacecraft reached station. (NASA Proj Off)
February 2: President Nixon sent message to Congress transmitting Aeronautics and Space Report of the President, Transmitted to the Congress January 1971: "The activities of our space program during the year are consistent with the recommendations I made in March for a balanced space program. Our goals are continued exploration, scientific knowledge and practical applications. The technology acquired through our space programs has many practical applications on earth ranging from communications, meteorology and navigation to agriculture, education and transportation." Specific objectives were continued lunar exploration to increase scientific return on Apollo program investment, exploration of solar system and universe, reduction of space operation costs, expansion of knowledge of "man's ability to perform productively in the hostile environment of space and to relate this knowledge to uses here on earth" and application of space technology to environmental problems. "We should also promote international cooperation in our space program by pursuing joint space ventures, exchanging scientific and technical knowledge, and assisting in the practical application of this knowledge. We are greatly encouraged by European interest in joining us in cooperative post-Apollo planning." Year 1970 had produced "substantial contributions to continued U.S. pre-eminence in civil aviation, major improvements in aeronautical services, and impressive developments in a sound SST pro-gram." New military aeronautics programs initiated in 1970 would "enhance our national security." (Pres Rpt 71; PD, 2/8/1, 158)
White House Office of Management spokesman said FY 1972 spending for public relations would be cut $45 million, or nearly 30%, under Nov. 6 Presidential order to curtail "self-serving and wasteful public relations activities." NASA PR spending would be cut from $13.7 mil-lion to $9.7 million, one of three largest cuts. Other agencies most effected were HEW and DOD. (Knap, W News, 2/2/71)
U.K. government agreed to finance half of BAC's contribution to NR's Phase B space shuttle study for NASA. Total financing was about $550 000. (SF, 4/71, 121)
Sen. David H. Gambrell (D-Ga.) was assigned to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. (NASA LAR X/7)
New York Times editorial on NASA decision to continue Apollo 14 mission: "Space officials know that they have taken on an extra degree of responsibility with the 'go' decision, and have opened the way for massive recrimination should their judgment be proved wrong by later developments. Nevertheless there is some reassurance in the fact that the original docking problem- which for a time seemed certain to abort the flight-was successfully overcome by the astronauts thou-sands of miles from earth. The nation and the world will be watching this flight with renewed hope-and admiration for the brave men em-barked upon it." (NYT, 2/2/71, 34)
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