Mar 26 1970
From The Space Library
Apollo 13 Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Fred W. Haise, Jr., and Thomas K. Mattingly II underwent brief medical examination, donned spacesuits, and practiced countdown procedures at KSC for 2 1/2 hrs in preparation for launch toward moon April 11. (AP, NYT, 3/27/70, 23)
NASA named flight and support crews for Apollo 15 lunar landing mission scheduled for autumn of 1970. Prime crewmen were Astronauts David R. Scott, commander; Alfred M. Worden, CM pilot; and James B. Irwin, LM pilot. Backup crew consisted of Astronauts Richard F. Gordon, Jr., Vance D. Brand, and Harrison H. Schmitt. Support crewmen were Scientist-Astronauts Karl G. Henize and Robert A. Parker. (NASA Release 70-46)
Two photographs taken from Apollo 9 spacecraft in March 1969 had been used as backdrop for experimental topographic map of Phoenix, Ariz., area, New York Times reported. U.S. Geological Survey scientist Dr. A.P. Colvocoresses had said that "on ordinary maps the lines and symbols used to represent geographic features in such terrain leave many areas essentially blank. On this map, however, there are no blank areas.... The map is easy to 'read' because the photo shows the actual land surface, enhanced by superposition of cartographic details." (NYT, 3/26/70)
Responding to question on astronaut pay, Washington Daily News columnist Hy Gardner quoted NASA as saying astronauts received no supplemental allowance for flying space missions. During last weeks before mission launch, they were on temporary duty assignment at KSC where they resided at Government expense. Status continued until they returned home to Houston after mission. During temporary duty period, military astronauts received allotment of $2 per day and civilian astronauts, $3.20 per day. (W News, 3/26/70, 40)
Sun shone less brightly than had been supposed, studies at GSFC and by Cal Tech team and Dr. Andrew J. Drummond of Eppley Laboratory had determined, New York Times reported. GSFC had used NASA's Convair 990 jet aircraft to collect data. Combined results had been evaluated by committee of Government and academic scientists headed by Dr. Matthew P. Teokaekara, who led GSFC experiments. Intensity of visible sunlight was now believed to be eight percent lower than generally accepted figure of two calories per square centimeter per minute. Estimate for total flow of energy from sun to earth-solar constant-had been revised downward three percent. (Sullivan, NYT, 3/26/70, 26)
Four particles of moon rock no bigger than tea leaf went on display at Science Museum in London. (Reuters, W Post, 3/27/70, C5)
New reconnaissance aircraft, Q-Star, was successfully demonstrated by Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. in Palo Alto, Calif. Modified glider featured quiet flight achieved through special Curtiss-Wright Corp. engine and slow-turning wooden propeller. Observers said they could not tell aircraft was overhead without watching sky. (UPI, W Post, 3/27/70)
March 26-27: Princeton Univ. astronomers successfully launched Stratoscope 11, 91-cm-dia (36-in-dia) balloon-borne optical telescope; from National Scientific Balloon Flight Station at Palestine, Tex. Telescope remained aloft during night at 24 400-m (80 000-ft) altitude where it photographed Uranus, Jupiter, nebulae, and nuclei of Seyfert galaxy with resolution three times greater than groundbased photos. Project was supported by NASA and NSF. (NASA Release 70-44; NASA PAO)
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