Aug 30 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 517 from Baikonur into orbit with 285-km (177.1-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.1-mi) perigee, 89.3- min period, and 64.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 11. (GSFC SSR, 8/31/72; 9/11/72; Sov Aero, 9/11/72, 70)
Interagency Coordination Committee for Earth Resources Survey Program (ICC:ERSP) released Annual Federal Report on Earth Resources Survey Programs. Committee, established in February, was chaired by Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator. Report described activities and future plans of eight Federal agencies participating in U.S. Federal program in remote sensing of earth resources and environment: NASA; Depts. of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Interior, and State; Environmental Protection Agency; and Corps of Engineers. NASA was responsible for development of space and aircraft technology for peaceful applications. Work included development of procedures, instruments, subsystems, spacecraft, and interpretive techniques for increasing basic knowledge of earth's atmosphere, land areas, and oceans and man's effect on these resources. Corps, of Engineers would evaluate contribution of remote sensing to water resources, marine science development, and emergency operations. Dept, of Agriculture would identify applications where remote sensing could benefit agriculture and related natural resources and gather remotely sensed data to identify major crops and forest species, insect damage, crop disease, soil salinity, and moisture differences. Agency would also map surface water, record snowpack and soil and water temperatures, and note changes in land use. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Dept. of Commerce was evaluating feasibility and cost-effectiveness of new remote sensing techniques. Dept. of Commerce also would operate Earth Resources Survey Data Center at Suitland, Md., for secondary users, including public. Dept. of Interior's Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) would be enhanced by space-based and aircraft remote sensing in achieving its management, conservation, and environmental objectives. Environmental Protection Agency would use remote sensing for identification, quantification, and monitoring of pollutants. Dept. of Defense would derive global information on past, current, and future states of earth's environments. Agency for International Development in Dept. of State was exploring remote sensing in international development, clarifying issues related to use for development purposes, disseminating information on NASA's ERS program, assisting developing countries to participate in ERS programs, and supporting remote sensing training activities. (Text)
Marshall Space Flight Center engineers were conducting research on laser-doppler clear-air turbulence-detection system. System, ground-tested and installed in NASA's Convair 990 at Ames Research Center for flight tests, could detect small-scale atmospheric motions. Laser system, which might lead to first commercially available instrument for air turbulence measurements, was designed and built by Raytheon Co. for NASA Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology and U.S. Air Force's Cambridge Research Laboratories. (NASA Release 72-182)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced appointment of Dr. Charles R. O'Dell as project scientist for Large Space Telescope (LsT). Dr. O'Dell was Chairman of Univ. of Chicago Dept. of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Director of university's Yerkes Observatory. (MSFC Release 72-118)
Col. Robert R. Wessels (USA) had been assigned to Marshall Space Flight Center as Director of Shuttle Construction Office, Marshall Star reported. Col. Wessels previously had been Deputy District Engineer for NASA Support, responsible for monitoring and coordinating district's design, engineering, and construction program at MSC and Mississippi Test Facility. (Marshall Star, 8/30/72, 1)
President Nixon, arriving in Hawaii for meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, recalled previous visit "at the time of the Apollo 13 flight, when we welcomed back brave men who hadn't succeeded but who came back, and it was one of those epics in American bravery which all of us wanted to pay tribute to." (PD, 9/4/82, 1314)
Army Aviation Systems Command awarded research and development, cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts to Boeing Co. Vertol Div, and United Aircraft Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft Div. for engineering development phase of prototype helicopters for Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS). Boeing Vertol would receive $91 million and Sikorsky Aircraft $61 million. (DOT note to correspondents)
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