Apr 11 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 485 from Plesetsk into orbit with 462-km (287.1-mi) apogee, 267-km (165.9-mi) perigee, 91.8-min period, and 70.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Aug. 30. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/72; 8/31/72; Sov Aero, 5/17/72, 120)
Apollo 16 astronauts John W. Young, Thomas K. Mattingly II, and Charles M. Duke, Jr., passed final physical examination at Kennedy Space Center. Dr. Charles A. Berry, NASA Director of Life Sciences, said results showed astronauts "in good shape and ready to fly." (AP, W Star, 4/11/72, A3)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics favorably reported, with-out amendment, H.R. 14070, $3.429-billion FY 1973 NASA authorization bill [see March 23]. (H Rpt 92-976)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, discussed relevancy of space program to communications field and scored antitechnologists as "misguided," in speech before National Assn. of Broadcasters engineers' luncheon in Chicago: "Our success in gathering information from space is forcing a revamping of surface communications as they relate to data transmission, and a substantial upgrading of the capacity of the system's components. The echoes of our revolutions will be heard in many sectors. . They will be as beneficial as they will be far-reaching." Disputing anti-technologists, Dr. Fletcher said that "they argue that, if the space program is done away with, the problems that are rooted in technological advance will disappear as well . . and ... funds now allocated to space can be applied to poverty, aid to the inner city and to other national needs." This was nonsense. "In so arguing, the base for planned error has been laid. A fundamentally irrational position has been taken. Critics of this stripe are unable or unwilling to recognize that technology is a tool-and nothing more." As space program progressed, Dr. Fletcher said, "I am confident that ... we will be able to confront the anti-technologist with a sequence of results from our space work ... that have a direct impact on the solving of some of the social problems that concern him-and the rest of us. "While this erosion of the position of the anti-technologist is in process, it is important that we take every precaution that his campaign does not impede the formation of the wise policies of federal support. Our immediate future depends on it, our long range future will be determined by it." (NASA Activities, 5/15/71, 92-4)
U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Soviet Academy of Sciences signed agreement providing for exchange of 216 man-months of visits by scientists between U.S. and U.S.S.R., or 180 man-months in each direction, over two-year period retroactive to Jan. 1, 1972. Agreement renewed and expanded interacademy exchange program that began in 1959. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 4/72, 1; NAS Off of Foreign Sec)
Airborne laser system developed by NASA's Wallops Station and Langley Research Center was being used to measure presence of drifting plankton in offshore areas of Chesapeake Bay, Md., and Chincoteague Bay, Va. System, mounted on helicopter, used orange light flash from laser to induce fluorescence in plankton. Fluorescence then was measured and recorded through telescope on helicopter. Test results had confirmed feasibility of using laser system on low-flying aircraft or surface vessel for observation of chlorophyll-bearing marine micro-organisms. (Wallops Release 72- 6)
Tracked air cushion research vehicle (TACRV) constructed for Dept. of Transportation by Grumman Aerospace Corp. was officially displayed for first time at Grumman facility in Bethpage, N.Y. Vehicle 15.5 m (51 ft) long could achieve speeds to 480 km per hr (300 mph). (DOT Release 34-73)
NASA and Federal Aviation Administration announced they would jointly sponsor major aeronautics exhibit at world's first international transportation exhibition, TRANSPO '72, to be held at Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va., May 27 to June 4. Exhibit would illustrate how two agencies were working with aviation community to over- come problems of congestion, noise, pollution, and inadequate airport facilities. (FAA Release 72-57)
Leesburg, Fla., high school students Dale Delpit and Mike Holloway emerged after 6 days and 16 hrs in capsule built by their science class to simulate spacecraft. They had walked and slept on waterbed to simulate weightlessness and had eaten pre-prepared foods. Both boys, aged 14, emerged with wobbly knees and with charcoal on faces to Iook like astronauts' beards. (W Star, 6/12/72, 20)
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