Nov 29 1965
From The Space Library
Second Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO after exceeding its operational life expectancy by 50 per cent, had been placed in coasting mode by NASA, Gas supply for the pitch-control in the stabilization system had been depleted, allowing the spacecraft to exceed acceptable tolerances in pointing at the sun, Data would be collected from time to time when the spacecraft did properly observe the sun, OSO launched Feb, 3, 1965, had completed more than 4,100 orbits and returned some 2,200,000 bits of scientific data each orbit. The nine advanced II experiments were designed to further the work of I as well as to extend measurements of the study of solar x-rays, gamma rays, and ultraviolet radiation. (NASA Release 65-367; GSFC Historian)
Gemini VII astronauts Frank Borman and James A. Lovell, Jr, reviewed for several hours where they would put food wrappings and other waste materials during their 14-day spaceflight scheduled to begin Dec. 4. Study of the problem was part of the final phase of training for the mission. (AP, NYT, 11/29/65, 55)
M/G O. J. Ritland (USAF), retiring Nov, 30, was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal by NASA Administrator James E. Webb. General Ritland who, as Deputy Commander for Space of the Air Force Systems Command, had been closely associated since 1962 with NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight, was cited for his contributions to the Mercury and Gemini manned space flight programs. (NASA Release 65-369)
U.S.S.R. transmitted a color television program by satellite to France for the first time. Tass said the transmission, using the French Secam color system, followed a series of technical tryouts through MOLNIYA I, first of the Soviet Union's two communications satellites now in orbit. (Reuters, NYT, 11/30/65, 49)
A moving model of a proposed lunar exploration vehicle under development by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp, was demonstrated on two acres of simulated moonscape. The two-section wheeled craft, known as a mobile base simulator, lumbered at five mph around moonlike craters made of cinders and coal dust at the Grumman test field, Calverton, L. I. The Grumman engineer in charge of the project, Edward G. Markow, explained that the aluminum working model, valued at $250,000, was being developed in the hope that NASA officials would buy the project for use possibly by 1975. The exploration craft would have a lunar range of 250 mi, and accommodate two astronauts with 50 lbs, of equipment for perhaps two weeks. It was designed for use with the Saturn V booster. (NYT, 11/30/65, 22)
Dr. Warren Weaver, former president of the AAAS, said in an interview with U.S. News & World Report that it was wrong to spend $30 billion on getting an American to the moon by 1970 when so much else to benefit the human race could be done with the money, He suggested: "We could give every teacher in the U.S. a ten percent raise a year for ten years; endow 200 small colleges with $10 million each; finance the education through graduate school of 50,000 scientists at $4,000a-year; build ten new medical schools at $200 million each; build and endow complete universities for more than 50 developing countries; create three new Rockefeller Foundations worth $50 million each." (U.S. News, 11/29/65)
Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (D-N.Y,), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, personally wrote the presidents of the Nation's 116 predominantly Negro colleges and universities urging them to apply for NASA grants and research contracts, In his letter he noted that of 187 colleges and universities receiving NASA grants, only one-Howard Univ.-was predominantly Negro and that 20 universities (10%) received $61,451,000 (50%) of the $121,115,000 total expenditure. (House Comm. on Education and Labor Release)
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