Sep 11 1970
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Seismic signals obtained from seismograph carried by Apollo 12 crew at epicentral distance of 76 km (47.2 mi) from LM impact differed from any seen on earth, Cornell Univ. radiophysicists Dr. Thomas Gold and Dr. Steven Soter reported in Science. Signal caused by Apollo 12 LM was interpreted in terms of propagation between source and receiver through layer of powder in which sound velocity increased with depth. Increase, due to compaction, extended over several kilometers and led to concentration of seismic waves toward surface. Computer simulations using ray acoustics and' based' on assumption of randomly undulating lunar surface approximated the observed signal. Seismic amplitudes were enhanced in this medium over' solid rock, so that' observed signal required less power to be transmitted than previously estimated. (Science, 9/11/70, 1071-5)
Four-man LaRC team emerged from space station simulator at McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., Huntington Beach, Calif., after successful completion of 90-day test to develop regenerative life support systems for advanced manned spacecraft [see June 13]. Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong greeted crewmen John H. Hall, Terry Donlon, Stephen G. Dennis, and Wilson Wong Project chief engineer Karl Houghton said test could have continued beyond scheduled 90 days. (AP, NYT, 9/12/70, 8; Langley Researcher, 9/18/70, 1)
President Nixon announced program to deal with air piracy by placing armed Government personnel on U.S. commercial airliners, extending use of electronic surveillance equipment to all gateway airports in U.S. and in other countries where possible, developing new security measures for detecting weapons and explosive devices, studying anti-hijacking techniques of foreign airlines, and supporting multi lateral convention to extradite or punish hijackers (to be considered at International Conference of ICAO) and Tokyo convention for prompt return of hijacked aircraft, passengers, and crew. President called for suspension of airline services to countries refusing to extradite or punish international hijackers. (PD, 9/14/71, 1193-4)
Twenty-five USAF Phantom jet fighters and four additional transport planes [see Sept. 9] arrived at Incirlik, Turkey. White House Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler said aircraft were "routine precaution" in connection with multiple hijacking by PFLP. (FonF, 9/10-16/70, 655)
Number of unidentified space objects had reentered atmosphere and landed in U.S., U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Charles W. Yost said in letter to U.N. Secretary General U Thant. Three objects-including one 90.7 kg (200 lbs) in weight, 76 CM (30 in) long, 25 CM (10 in) wide, and 13 CM (5 in) thick-had been recovered and reports of other sightings were being investigated. It had not yet been established whether fragments had caused any damage. (AP, NYT, 9/12/ 70,13)
DOD announced appointment of Dr. James W. Mar, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, as USAF Chief Scientist, effective Sept. 14. Dr. Mar would succeed John J. Welch, Jr., who would return to LTV, Inc. (DOD Release 740-70)
President Nixon issued "call for cooperation" in message to Congress: "Our present problems in large degree arise from the failure to anticipate the consequences of our past successes. It is the fundamental thrust of technological change to change society as well.... The task of government in the future will be to anticipate change; to prevent it where clearly nothing is to be gained; to prepare for it when on balance the effects are to be desired; and above all to build into the technology an increasing degree of understanding of its impact on human society. With this in mind, the National Commission on Productivity [appointed by Nixon July 10] will be evaluating the impact of technology and other factors related to achieving higher levels of productivity vital to the healthy growth of our economy." (PD, 914/70, 1172-90)
President Nixon submitted nominations to Senate: Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, AEC Chairman, as U.S. Representative to 14th Session of General Conference of International Atomic Energy Agency; Dwight J. Porter as Deputy U.S. Representative to IAEA; and Dr. T. Keith Glennan, first NASA Administrator, as alternate representative. President announced appointment of George M. Wolfe as an alternate U.S. representative on ICAO Council and accepted resignation of J.D. Braman as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Environment and Urban Systems, effective Oct. 1 (PD, 9/14/70, 1196,1197)
Management of U.S. and Soviet space programs were compared in Science by Dr. Foy D. Kohler, former U.S. Ambassador to U.S.S.R., and Dr. Dodd L. Harvey, both of Univ. of Miami: Pro grams had been roughly equal in complexity and in input of resources. "If, as has been asserted, the U.S. moon undertaking represented a task equal in technological complexity to the total of all the great tasks performed by man from the building of the pyramids through explosion of the atom bomb, hardly less can be said of Soviet space enterprise." Soviet investment in space program had been comparable to that of U.S., "if not substantially greater." Both programs had depended for success on effective organization and use of existing organizations and expertise and both had required extensive organizational and administrative innovations and new management techniques. In both programs most of basic scientific knowledge and technology already existed. Organization and management had been complicated by necessity of serving both military and nonmilitary objectives and by pressures of diverging national interests. Both programs represented "organizational triumphs of a high order." Aspect of U.S. moon landing now generally forgotten was "that a number of knowledgeable people were convinced it could not be done." Programs differed in that "to the Soviet regime... the name of the game in space has been 'the system,' not scientific and technological excellence as such." In U.S., National Aeronautics and Space Act "reflected the operation of the representative process at what could be called its best." Its provisions "subjected space activities to continuing congressional control in accord with long-established processes." U.S. space effort represented "new sort of partnership between government, industry, and universities. . . a partnership that has benefited and strengthened each of the participants without impinging on their interests and integrity." Soviet space effort had had less impact on national economy than had U.S. effort. Soviet sources had revealed continuing shortcomings in computer technology and hardware upon which space program was dependent. Soviet scientists and technologists not directly engaged in: space program did not receive direct knowledge of space program's technical discoveries and innovations and were denied use of research tools and techniques employed. "The Soviets themselves are evidencing increasing agitation over their inability to match the United States in transferring 'great prestige' and 'great accomplishments' in science and technology to meet the general needs of society." Authoritative statement indicated U.S.S.R. intended to triple space expenditures in next few years, while in U.S. "prevailing national mood seems to be moving strongly against' investments for the future in favor of maximum utilization of resources for the immediate betterment of conditions of life." This raised question, "Has the whole operation represented but another highly successful one-shot exercise in crisis management, or has it represented incorporation into American society of a new way to organize, systematically and purposefully, the development and use of scientific and technological resources to the furtherance of national goals?" (Science, 9/11/70, 1049-56)
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