May 31 1966
From The Space Library
Soviet proposal for keeping moon free of weapons was presented to U.N. Secretary General U Thant by Ambassador Nikolay T. Fedorenko, head of the Soviet delegation to the U.N. Four principles were suggested as basis for international agreement: “1-The moon and other celestial bodies should be free for exploration and use by all states without any discrimination. All states enjoy freedom of the scientific exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies on an equal basis and in accordance with the basic principles of international law. “2-The moon and other celestial bodies should be used for peaceful purposes only. No military bases and installations including installations of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction should be stationed on the moon and other celestial bodies. “3-The exploration and use of the moon and other celestial bodies should be carried out for the benefit and in the interest of all mankind. They are not subject to appropriation or any territorial claim. “4-In the course of the exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies, the states proceed from the principles of cooperation and mutual assistance and carry on their activities with due account of the respected interests of other states for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security.” Proposal paralleled treaty suggested by President Johnson May 7. (Marder, Wash. Post, 6/1/66, A1)
NASA released preliminary report of board investigating explosion of Saturn V 2nd stage (S-II-F) ground test version May 28 at MTF. Board chairman Dr. Kurt H. Debus, KSC Director, said that during checkout tests after five successful static firings, hydrogen tank pressure sensing line had been disconnected. Failure to reconnect line had caused tank rupture when pressurized with helium beyond design limits. (Marshall Star, 6/1/66, 1)
NAS issued final report of Space Science Board exobiology study, undertaken in summer 1964 at NASA’s request, including postscript examining results of MARINER IV’s July 1965 Mars flyby in relation to study’s recommendation that Mars exploration be assigned “highest scientific priority." Report, Biology and the Exploration of Mars, was released with companion anthology, Extraterrestrial Life, which contained 2,000-entry bibliography. Advance summary of report had been released Apr. 26, 1965. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 6-7; NAS-NRC Release, 5/31/66)
ComSatCorp Chairman James McCormack told Washington Society of Investment Analysts that ComSatCorp faced two issues of national and international significance: (1) “Responsibility for U.S. earth stations, as between Comsat and the other U.S. carriers” and (2) “Designation of the entities which may deal directly with Comsat. . . .’ He pointed out that present international agreements would be renegotiated in 1969, and that some participants were “dubious about Comsat’s continuing ability as the consortium’s manager to spend their money in their interests while being subject to the detailed regulation” of the FCC. (Text)
Need for detection instruments to warn SST pilots of excessive radiation during solar flares was described in papers by Sidney Teweles and Raymond M. McInturff of ESSA and Robert F. Jones of British Meteorologfice Geneva meeting of executive committee of World MeteoroIogica1 Organization. ESSA scientists said descent of plane from cruising altitude of about 60,000 ft. to 40,000 ft. might be necessary “three or four times a year during the half of the 11-year sunspot cycle when the greatest flares occur.’ (NYT, 6/1/66, 77)
Gen. William Hugh Blanchard, USAF Vice Chief of Staff, died at 50 after suffering heart attack at Pentagon meeting. General Blanchard was credited with landing first B-29 in China in March 1944. (NYT, 6/1/66)
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