Apr 30 1970
From The Space Library
Arnold W. Frutkin, NASA Assistant Administrator for International Affairs, described Brazilian proposal for educational broadcast experiment using NASA ATS-F or ATS-G satellite to House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on National Security Policy and Scientific Development: "The project is intended ... as the development prototype of a system that will broadcast television and radio instructional material to the entire country through a government-owned geostationary satellite. The experiment itself contemplates TV and radio broadcasting into some 500 schools in the Rio Grande de Norte region. It would test the use of satellites for central broadcasting using a balance of TV and radio, to upgrade teacher quality, permit the use of local monitors with less training, and so facilitate rapid expansion of the educational system." Proposal was undergoing revision before final technical evaluation by NASA. (Testimony)
In experiment to test validity of Einstein theory of relativity, JPL astronomer Dr. John D. Anderson and Cal Tech astronomer Dr. Duane O. Muhleman measured radio signal from Mariner VI just before it swung behind sun. If Einstein theory was correct, precise distance-measuring system built by JPL engineer and coinvestigator Warren L. Martin and 64-m (210-ft) antenna at Goldstone tracking station in Mohave Desert would register Blowup of 200 millionths of second in roundtrip signal from satellite. Einstein said velocity of light was slower in gravitational field near sun than in. interplanetary space where gravitational fields were weaker. (NASA Release 70=62)
Saturn V 2nd stage (S-II-13) was successfully captive-fired for 367 secs at MTF. Stage would be used to launch Skylab space station in late 1972. (MSFC Release 70-85)
NASA announced selection of Aerojet Liquid Rocket Co., NR Rocketdyne Div., and United Aircraft Corp. Pratt & Whitney Div. for final negotiations of $6-million, fixed-price contracts for 11-mo parallel studies for design definition of Space Shuttle main propulsion system. Contracts would be managed by MSFC. (NASA Release 70-64)
Apollo 13 Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., at National Press Club Luncheon in Washington, D.C., denied interest in running for office of Senator from Wisconsin: "I'm a public servant and I intend to be that way." He hoped to devote "next two years at least" to helping develop strong, well-balanced space program. (Schmeck, NYT, 4/30/70)
NAE announced election of retired General Electric Co. Vice President Clarence H. Linder as first full-time NAE President and Dr. Chauncey Starr of UCLA as Vice President. Dr. Thomas C. Kavanagh of Praeger-Kavanagh-Waterbury and of Madigan-Hyland was reelected Treasurer and J. H. Mulligan, Jr., Secretary. Among those elected to Council were Dr. T. Keith Glennan, first NASA Administrator, and Dr. Eugene G. Fubini, NASA consultant. (NAE Release; NAE Bridge, 6/70,1)
President Nixon's address to Nation on situation in Southeast Asia was televised live by satellite to Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. (PD, 5/4/70, 596-601; UPI, W Star, 5/l/70, A10)
USAF announced F-111 wing structure undergoing ground fatigue testing at General Dynamics Corp.'s San Diego, Calif., facility cracked at point equivalent to 71/2 yrs of service life. (AP, W Post, 5/l/70)
Australian cabinet decided to lease U.S. F-4E Phantom aircraft as stand-in for 24 F-111s it had ordered. F-Ills continued to be grounded for further tests. (UPI, NY News, 5/1/70, 8)
Rep. Jerry L. Pettis (R-Calif.) announced resignation from House Committee on Science and Astronautics to fill seat on House Committee on Ways and Means. (CR, 4/34/70, 3719-20)
New York Times editorial deplored decline of Federal support for research: "The search for peace and knowledge, the rescue of man's environment and the rebirth of the decaying cities are certain to become illusory goals unless they are pursued with as much hard hitting scholarship and scientific purpose as the perfection of missiles or exploration in space. The Pentagon has never failed to impress the political leaders with its dependence on the creativity of the ablest minds on campus; it would be a devastating commentary on the nation's values if history were to record that the military establishment was the only dependable patron of American research and scholarship, and that when military support was cut off, scientific research withered and died." (NYT, 4/30/70, 34)
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