Nov 30 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 460 from Plesetsk into orbit with 539-km (334.9-mi) apogee, 518-km (321.9-mi) perigee, 95.2- min period, and 74.0° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 11/30/71; SBD, 12/2/71, 141)
Assignment of MSFC as lead center within OMSF for concept verification testing (CVT)-system design and integration to verify concepts and hardware from NASA definition studies-was announced by Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, MSFC Director. Primary purposes of CTV program were to demonstrate representative shuttle payload concepts in research and applications modules (RAM) and space station classes, to develop shuttle-payload interface requirements from viewpoint of payload and users, to demonstrate shuttle capabilities for research and applications, to support design and development of Sortie Can (payload carrier for space shuttle), and to investigate integration and operational techniques for long- duration mission system for advanced RAMs and for eventual space station. CVT program would be part of Space Station Task Team headed by William A. Brooksbank. CVT work would be headed by Konrad K. Dannenberg. (MSFC Release 71-225)
Meeting of NASA's Comet and Asteroid Missions Science Panel at MSFC, chaired by Dr. Ernest Stuhlinger, Associate Director for Science, discussed present and prospective efforts in planetary and interplanetary probes. Nine scientists from education field and Government attended. (MSFC Release 71-266; MSFC PAO)
NASA and Small Business Administration announced publication of Testing Methods and Techniques, summary of aerospace technology suitable for profitable adaptation by small industrial firms. Booklet, offered with-out charge, contained 34 abstracts of innovative processes and devices used in quality control and nondestructive testing, with emphasis on physical inspection and internal-flaw detection. (NASA Release 71-236)
U.S. patent No. 3 624 650 was granted to JPL engineers Richard L. Horttor and Richard M. Goldstein for method of mapping planets from earth station with radar and orbiting transponder. Patent was assigned to NASA. (Jones, NYT, 12/4/71)
USAF had announced that 130-member review team of specialists from USAF, Lockheed, and other aerospace companies would make year-long review of USAF C-5A program, Wall Street Journal reported. Object of review was to "recommend operational refinements or aircraft modifications where necessary." (WSJ, 11/30/71, 3)
DOD signed $25-million contract with Lockheed Space & Missiles Corp. for definition and development phase of new-generation submarine-launched ULMS (underwater long-range missile system) with maximum 10000-km (6200-mi) range. (Reuters, B Sun, 12/1/71, A12; W Post, 12/1/71, A14)
November 30-December 2: Apollo 15 investigator's symposium was conducted at Lunar Science Institute in Houston, Tex. Apollo Photo Science Team members Robert D. Mercer of Dudley Observatory and Lawrence Dunkelman of GSFC described photos of sun and interplanetary dust taken by Apollo 15 CM pilot Astronaut Alfred M. Worden. Photos showed features of solar corona and zodiacal light never before observed. Preliminary examination of photos showed "light levels less than can be seen by the best telescopes on earth." Analysis of photos would permit direct, comparative measurements of solar phenomena's relative brightness to obtain information on mechanisms by which energy left sun and on distribution of particles outward from sun. (MSC Release 71-97)
November 30-December 3: Joint meeting of NASA and European Space Conference (ESC) was held in Washington, D.C., to identify candidate areas for possible European participation in post-Apollo space pro-grams. Meeting had been proposed in Sept. 1 letter from Under Secretary of State U. Alexis Johnson to Belgian Science Minister Theo Lefevre, ESC Chairman. (NASA Release 71-235, 71-241; NASA PAO)
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