Sep 15 1971
From The Space Library
NASA successfully completed 12th and 13th flights of TF-8A jet aircraft equipped with supercritical wing, flown from FRC by NASA test pilot Thomas C. McMurtry, TF-8A flight test program was being accelerated in anticipation of adverse landing conditions when lake bed at Edwards, Calif., became wet later in year. Purposes of flights were to expand flight envelope to higher dynamic pressures, obtain pressure distribution and performance data at higher dynamic pressure, evaluate unaugmented stability and control characteristics, and investigate buffet boundary for trim flight at design condition of mach 0.99 at 14 000 m (46 000 ft). (NASA Proj Off)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, described planned Skylab mission medical research in address before Utah State Medical Assn.: .. we will be looking far beyond the requirements of the immediate mission; we will be seeking answers to questions with a strong impact on the future of manned space flight during the remainder of this century." Major questions as yet unanswered after Gemini and Apollo flights were the causes of moderate loss of weight by astronauts early in flight, moderate cardiovascular deconditioning, moderate loss of exercise capacity, and minimal Is of bone density. Medical results from Gemini and Apollo missions had shown that "1. There were no major surprises. 2. As of now, we see no reason why man cannot live and work effectively in space for a long period of time. 3. Man seems to adapt to space flight more easily than he does to Earth's environment after returning from space." (Text)
Apollo 15 astronauts were honored by Chicago with parade, special City Council meeting, and civic luncheon. Mayor Richard J. Daley presented them with honorary citizenship medals. (Wolfe, C Trib, 9/16/71)
U.S.S.R.'s Lunokhod I lunar rover had successfully completed 11th lunar day of work on moon since it was landed by Luna 17 Nov. 17, 1970, Tass announced. During 11th lunar day rover had made "a detailed survey of the structure of the moon surface in the area" and "panoramic route survey of the surrounding locality," traveling 100 m (328 ft) before being powered down for 11th lunar night. (FBIS-Sov-180-3, 9/16/71, Ll )
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