Nov 25 1969
From The Space Library
NASA's X-24 A lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), completed eighth glide flight at FRC. Objective of flight, last glide flight in series, was to obtain stability and control data at 30° upper flap setting and 0° rudder bias setting. (NASA Proj Off)
Two boxes of lunar samples from Apollo 12 arrived at Lunar Receiving Laboratory in Houston, where they would be examined and used in experiments. (AP, W Star, 11/26/69, A2)
Pakistan President Yahya Khan sent "hearty felicitations" to President Nixon and American people on Apollo 12 success. "May your endeavor lead to increasing expansion of the bounds of human knowledge and bring forth newer possibilities of lasting peace and progress on earth." (NYT, 11/26/69, 24)
Washington Post Apollo 12 editorial: "Although it will be weeks or months before we know what the harvest of knowledge from this trip has been, the first impression is that the harvest has been a rich one. The astronauts accomplished everything they had been asked to do and more. The pinpoint landing indicates that the navigational problems are not nearly as great as once thought, clearing the way for future astronauts to go precisely where the scientists want them to. The ease with which Mr. Conrad and Mr. Bean functioned on the moon's surface indicates that their successors will be able to range farther afield and undertake more complicated assignments. Even the accidental fall of Pete Conrad is a plus. It cuts down the fear that a fall would be extremely serious and points out . . . that man may be more adaptable to alien conditions than he dreams." (W Post, 11/25/69, A20)
At hearing on suit of atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair to ban broadcast of prayers by U.S. astronauts in space [see Aug. 16], U.S. Attorney Seagel Wheatley and NASA counsel asked dismissal of suit on grounds Mrs. O'Hair and her Society of Separationists lacked necessary legal standing to sue Government. Justice Dept. Attorney James Barnes said, "NASA has no plans to instruct astronauts what to say. The statements that the astronauts made are their own. . . . NASA has no intention of circumscribing . . . the astronauts, rights in the free exercise of religion." (UPI, W Post, 11/25/69, A8)
NASA was using July 26 edict against unauthorized use of Apollo flight insignia to make "unauthorized" possession of souvenir Apollo flight patches Federal offense, Washington Post said. While astronauts felt they should be only ones entitled to distribute patches, businessmen contended they ought to be in public domain. NASA contractors like Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. had been granted exceptions to blanket rule. (Lardner, W Post, 11/25/69, A8)
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