May 28 1970
From The Space Library
In letter to Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, replied to inquiries on design, cost, and operation of Space Shuttle: "NASA and DOD have been working for more than three years on the preliminary analysis of alternate approaches and concepts, and on the research and technology effort needed to determine whether it is appropriate to develop reusable vehicles that will substantially reduce the cost of operating in space. We have concluded that this is an achievable objective. We are convinced that availability of these vehicles will lead to significant changes in our concepts of operation in space environment as well as reductions in costs. Accordingly, we selected contractors of May 12 to proceed into the second or definitive phase of detailed study, comparative analysis, and preliminary design directed toward facilitating the choice of a single program approach . . . . We will decide at the conclusion of this phase whether it is appropriate to settle on a single design or continue competitive approaches." (CR, 6/23/70, E5878-80)
Dr. Eli L. Whitely, President of U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, presented NASA with plaque honoring agency for "making America first in space." Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, accepted plaque on behalf of NASA and other organizations that had contributed to space program. (NASA Release 70-87; Citation)
Apollo launch operations contractors at KSC were reducing work forces from 17 500 to between 16 500 and 17 000 by July 1, NASA announced. NASA and contractors would continue to review future manpower requirements and final determination on civilian work force would be made by Sept. 1. Factors influencing final determination included consolidation of manned launch operations at Launch Complex 39; changes in 1970, 1971, and 1972 Apollo and Skylab schedules; and internal cost-reduction effort of Government and contractors. Apollo 13 Review Board results might also affect planned work schedule. (NASA Release 70-84)
African nation of Senegal became 76th member of INTELSAT. (ComSatCorp PIO; SBD, 611/70, 147)
DOD issued broad policy directive that placed greater emphasis on conceptual and development stages of new weapon systems and suggested greater flexibility in negotiating ultimate contract prices and' weapon requirements. (Text)
New York Times editorial commented on 4.6-billion-yr-old rock brought from moon by Apollo 12: "Rock 13's appearance at this moment in history is more than a major scientific coup for the Apollo program. The recovery of this staggeringly ancient rock strengthens the argument of those who have pressed for extensive exploration of the lunar surface on the ground that the moon will provide the clues needed to understand the origin and development of the solar system. Thus rock 13 fortifies the scientific case for going ahead with additional Apollo flights despite the dangers which were made so vivid by the hazardous journey of Apollo 13.'" (NYT, 5/28/ 70)
Rep. Gillespie V. Montgomery (D-Miss.) entered in Congressional Record article from Oct. 23, 1936, Meridian (Miss.) Star which described unsuccessful efforts of R. G. V. Mytton of Meridian to fly with aid of wing-like machine in 1900. (CR, 5/28/70, E4748)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
