Nov 16 1969
From The Space Library
During "Meet the Press" interview shown on NBC TV Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, said he thought Apollo 11 spacecraft would have crashed if Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong had not piloted it on final lunar approach. Quick reactions by Apollo 12 crew had helped save mission from power failure on its launch. "I think that the Apollo 12 launch would have been a success. But we felt a good deal better with the astronauts there." Dr. Paine thought U.S.S.R. would attempt moon trips "in the next few years." (W Post, 11/17/69, A3)
First public display of 21.1-gm Apollo 11 moon rock at American Museum of Natural History in New York attracted largest crowd in museum's history-42,195 persons. Display would run for 21/2 mos as highlight of museum's centennial celebration. (NYT, 11/16/69, 66; AP, W Star, 11/17/69, Al)
Merger of U.S. and U.S.S.R. satellite systems into worldwide comsat link for all nations was proposed in report of Sept 21-25 international conference at Talloires, France, released by sponsors Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Twentieth Century Fund. In Communicating by Satellite: An International Discussion, task force appointed to consider new rules and regulations for international satellite communications said: "Obstacles undoubtedly exist to achieving the goal of an integrated, global system, but technical compatibility between the two major satellite communications systems-Intelsat and Intersputnik (through the Soviet Orbita)-is not difficult to obtain. Their orbital systems are complementary; their frequency plans can be coordinated; a single ground station can operate in either system, and their transmitting and receiving equipment can be adapted for operation in both systems." All nations should have access to global, integrated comsat system with "willingness and ability to accept certain technical and administrative requirements" only relevant consideration. No political conditions should be applied to membership. Voting rules should "take account of the special contributions" of countries like U.S. and U.S.S.R. "while recognizing the interests of virtually all nations in the basic rules of operation of the system." No nation should be allowed to broadcast sound and TV into territory of other nations without their consent. (Text; AP, W Star, 11/17/69, Al2)
Space race was underway in summer of 1945, as U.S." U.K., and U.S.S.R. searched for key men who had effected Germany's "staggering lead in rocketry," David Owen of London Daily Telegraph said in Washington Post. Article traced escape of Wernher von Braun and Peenemünde rocket scientists from defeated German Gen. Hans Kammler who had ordered them shot rather than have them captured by Allies; hiding of rocket drawings and records in remote Harz Mountain cave; voluntary surrender of scientists to U.S.; and withdrawal of scientists, documents, and rockets by U.S. before U.K. and U.S.S.R. could capture any but small part of German rocketry effort. (W Post, 11/16/69, B3)
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