Jan 11 1970
From The Space Library
Development of Fluorel, which could be applied by spray to fireproof material against temperatures to 1500 K (2200°F) was described by Jerome F. Lederer, Director of Safety, OMSF, in interview released by AP. Compound was developed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. under direction of MSC engineers. Fluorinated copolymer paste developed to reduce flammability hazards in spacecraft consisted of 20% of Fluorel solids homogenized to form methylethylketone solution. It had been designated Ref set L-3203-6 by manufacturer, Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. Fluorel would be among nonflammable and fire-resistant materials developed for U.S. space program and reviewed by NASA for industry and Government agencies at safety conference at MSC in May. (AP, NYT, 1/12/70; 10; NASA Release 70-7)
Optical Doppler system powered by carbon dioxide laser was being developed by MSFC physicist Robert M. Huffnaker to detect and measure clear-air turbulence, MSFC announced. System, which measured atmospheric wind velocity directly, operated on Doppler radar principle except that coherent laser pulse was used instead of radio frequency energy. Huffnaker hoped to have airborne version of system operational in year. (MSFC Release 70-5)
Nixon Administration had decided against big space program for 1970s, Thomas O'Toole wrote in Washington Post. There would be "no set goal for landing men on Mars, no plan to colonize the moon and no sudden push to orbit a permanent manned space station above the earth in the next five years." While space program would "not be allowed to shrink much" in 1970, Administration would ask Congress for no more than $3.7 billion for space in FY 1971, "the lowest request for space funds in almost a decade." Low funding level meant space spending would not rise above $4 billion annually for at' least several years and new programs would not be started in near future. (W Post, 11/1/70, Al)
January 11-18: Washington Evening Star published series of seven articles on environmental pollution. Many scientists feared "that the 1970s will be the dawn of Doomsday." Mail to White House on environment had doubled after first lunar landing. "To many, the flights raised the question of where technological priorities should be directed-into space or back on the earth?" Some astronauts had said that from space, air pollution was so visible it cut into the joy of seeing earth from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Articles examined "what man has done to his environment, and what he can do to save it." Observers saw "great promise" in National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 signed Jan. 1. "To Congress, the President, and so many others who will become embroiled in this recently dramatized issue, the task at hand can be summed up in the phrase 'quality of life.' It will be a task of cleaning up, of making the air and the water and the land healthier and more enjoyable. Over the decades, as Americans have built a richer economic standard, they have run up a huge bill to the natural world around them. The bill is overdue." Total cost of cleaning up environment had been estimated at $100 billion to $125 billion. (Hornig, Welsh, W Star, 1/11-, 18/70, AI)
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