Feb 9 1971
From The Space Library
Following Apollo 14 splashdown, President Nixon telephoned Apollo 14 astronauts aboard recovery ship U.S.S. New Orleans to express personal congratulations on successful completion of mission. He released statement comparing Apollo 14 with May 5 1961, Freedom 7 mission flown by Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr.: "The difference between that first flight and this latest is a measure of how far we have progressed in space in the short span of 10 years. But two things have not changed: the courage and determination of the men who fly these missions, and the skill and dedication of the thousands here on earth who make their flights possible." (PD, 2/15/71, 205)
Cosmos 394 was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 613-km (380.9-mi) apogee, 572-km (355.4-mi) perigee, 96.5-min period, and 65.8° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 2/28/71)
NASA's M2-F3 lifting body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), successfully completed fifth flight after air-launch from B- 52 aircraft at FRC. Purpose of flight was to compare flight characteristics of M2-F3 with those of M2-F2. Maj. Gentry was only active pilot who had flown both vehicles. Mission was his last before leaving for duty in Southeast Asia. (NASA Proj Off)
Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, introduced H.R. 3981, $3.271-billion FY 1972 NASA authorization bill. Bill authorized appropriations of $2.518 billion for R&D, $56.3 million for construction of facilities, and $697.4 million for research and program management. (CR, 2/9/71, H588; NASA LAR X/11)
Christian Science Monitor editorial commented: "Technically, the feats of Apollo 14 . . are invaluable. The scientific data obtained have opened many new paths to broader knowledge. But far more note-worthy should be the effect which these can have upon man's view of his place and role in the universal scheme. It is already historical fact that America's space program has helped focus sharper attention on challenges at home. This is bound, in the long run, to be one of the program's greatest contributions." (CSM, 2/9/71)
Former New Mexico Governor David F. Cargo presented Apollo 11 moon fragments to Museum of New Mexico at ceremony in Santa Fe. Later, AP said incumbent Governor Bruce King had claimed lunar samples for people of New Mexico, while Cargo said they had been presented to him, personally, by President Nixon. AP said White House records showed plaque presented with moon fragments was inscribed "to the people of the State of New Mexico." (AP, W Post, 2/11/71)
DOD said USA had been directed to continue development of Hardsite Defense, supplementary ABM system that included modified Sprint interceptor missiles and smaller, less expensive radars than those used in Safeguard ABM system. (AP, B Sun, 2/10/71, Al)
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