Feb 4 1970
From The Space Library
Two Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets, launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range, carried Univ. of Alaska payloads to 310-km (192.6-mi) and 340-km (211.3-mi) altitudes to obtain data on spatial variation of auroral light emissions and on relationship between their intensities and volume emission rates. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily; good data were obtained. (NASA Rpts SRL)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, told Cleveland, Ohio, press conference LeRC would receive $22-million increase for FY 1971. "We expect Lewis to play a very significant role in the space station-space base evolution. The challenge in electric power alone is one that will keep Lewis people going indefinitely." Dr. Paine was visiting NASA centers to explain effects of FY 1971 budget cuts. (Lewis News, 2/13/70, 1)
Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., told press at KSC that Apollo 13 mission would be his last space flight. "There are a lot of people standing in line for flights. I've had more than my share. So I'll step aside after this one." Apollo 13 would be Lovell's fourth space flight. (AP, W Star, 2/5/70, A2)
MSC Director of Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton, on behalf of himself and MSC Flight Crew Operations staff, received 1969 IEEE Reliability Award in Los Angeles for exceptional contributions to field of reliability. (NASA Hq Reliability & Quality Assurance Newsletter, 3/70, 2)
ARC biochemists were developing process to convert principal body wastes-carbon dioxide and water-into palatable food for long duration space missions, ARC announced. Methods to turn carbon dioxide and water vapor exhaled and water recovered from urine into sugars and glycerol in series of chemical reactions might also be applied to solve food problems on earth. Work was under way by ARC, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and two industrial contractors to develop system to produce chemical foods under space conditions, including weightlessness, and reduce food deliveries to orbiting space station. (ARC Release 70-3)
Apollo 12 commander Charles Conrad, Jr., accepted Silver Quill Award of American Business Press on NASA's behalf at dinner in Washington, D.C. Award was given for "greatest exploration expedition in the history of mankind," ABP Board Chairman Donald V. Buttenheim said. It also recognized "tremendous feat of organization of human and material resources" and translation of discoveries and development of manned space flight into "down to earth benefits of the new technology for the good of industry, America, and all mankind." (ABP Release, 1/1/70; ABP Off)
MSC announced award of $3 270 897 one-year extension to contract with Zia Co. for maintenance and operations support at White Sands Test Facility. Extension brought total value of cost-plus award-fee contract to $17.9-million since November 1966. (MSC Release 70-20)
Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) introduced H .R. 15695, $3.333-billion FY 1971 NASA authorization bill. (Text)
February 4-6: AIAA held Advanced Space Transportation Meeting at Patrick AFB and Cocoa Beach, Fla. In keynote address Charles W. Mathews, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, discussed capabilities of NASA reusable Space Shuttle. "In the area of multi-mission and multi-agency use, we are talking and thinking in the broadest sense. Certainly, the Department of Defense, in addition to NASA, has many requirements to carry payloads into space. Other agencies, the industrial community, and the academic community also have been involved in like fashion but have been... inhibited by the limited capabilities and costs of present launch systems and payloads. However, in addition to a higher level of participation within our own country, a much greater involvement is expected internationally because of the flexibility and utility of the Space Shuttle. Other nations might utilize a United States shuttle to carry and deploy their payloads or carry their personnel to a space station, but ultimately, nations or a consortium of nations may desire to operate their own shuttles just as foreign airlines operate U.S. developed commercial aircraft." Design baselines at start of Phase B studies of shuttle included 1.6 million kg (3.5 million lbs) at liftoff and payload compartment volume of 4.6-m (15-ft) dia by 18.3 m (60 ft) long. Pan American World Airways President Najeeb E. Halaby said NASA reusable Space Shuttle was logical step toward ship for commercial travel to orbit and back and for point-to-point earth transportation. (Mathews Text; UPI, W Star, 2/6/70, A10)
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