Jun 7 1971
From The Space Library
Preparations for Apollo 15 mission were proceeding on schedule with liftoff planned for July 26, Capt. Chester M. Lee (USN, Ret.), Apollo Mission Director, told press in Washington, D.C. Astronauts would be able to remain on lunar surface for long EVA periods be-cause of new spacesuit that would give astronauts greater mobility and facilitate experiments. New suit had neck and waist convolutes to permit bending at neck and waist, improved zipper for pressure control, improved thermal garment, more abrasive material protection, and increased water and oxygen supply. Suits also had pocket for fruit bar so astronauts could take bites during mission. (Transcript)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in Washington that Salyut 1-Soyuz 11 mission was "clear demonstration of the Soviet Union's continuing interest in manned space flight and represents a further experiment to determine the value of manned earth orbital operations." He wished Soviet cosmonauts "every success in their mission." (Reuters, B Sun, 6/8/71)
Washington Evening Star editorial commented on Salyut 1-Soyuz 11 mission: "The Russians deserve congratulations for the achievement, which puts them some two years ahead of the United States in the space platform game." News from Moscow implied "that another kind of breakthrough may be in the making; a development of far greater significance to the future of man in space than the momentary triumph of an orbital linkup or a moon landing. There is evidence that the traditional Soviet passion for secrecy in space is beginning to cool," (W Star, 6/7/71)
Tu-144 Soviet supersonic transport was expected to go on international market at $25 million less than Anglo-French Concorde, Armed Forces Journal said. Informed sources had said U.S.S.R. would offer airlines up to 10 yrs credit to obtain sales in West. (AFJ, 6/7/71, 13)
House passed H.R. 7960, $622-million FY 1972 NSF appropriations bill by vote of 319 to 8. FY 1971 appropriation was $511 million. (CR, 6/7/71, H4763-85)
Retired Laic scientist William J. O'Sullivan, who had conceived and developed Echo I comsat (launched Aug 12 1960), died at Newport News, Va., at age 55. He had received NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award in October 1961 and National Rocket Club award for conceiving use of lightweight inflatable satellites for communications relay and air density studies. (W Post, 6/8/71, C8)
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