Jun 25 1970
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Titan IIIB-Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 410.4-km (255-mi) apogee, 118.9-km (73.9-mi) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 108.8° inclination and reentered, July 6. (Pres Rpt 71; GSFC SSR, 6/30/70; 7/31/70)
Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel submitted report to NASA in form of letter to Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, from panel chairman, Dr. Charles D. Harrington. Panel found that Apollo 13 Review Board procedures and scope of inquiry had "proved effective in their task." Board had "performed a thorough and technically competent analysis in the reconstruction of the factors contributing to the Apollo 13 abort." Panel "found no evidence And no reason to doubt the technical validity of their determination and findings." (Hearing, Sen Com on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Apollo 13 Mission Review, 6/30/70, 31, 56)
MSC announced NR had been awarded $4 785 130 supplemental agreement for changes in Apollo Cm and SM contract. Agreement formally incorporated 26 changes previously authorized by NASA for modification to ground support equipment, for test and checkout of CSM, modification of flight and ground test hardware, and additional test and-effect-analysis changes and brought total value of contract to $3.5 billion. (MSC Release 70-73)
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket launched by NASA from Wallops Station carried GSFC experiment to obtain data on atmosphere by detonating grenades and recording their sound arrivals on ground. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR list)
Construction began on 64-m (210-ft) tracking antenna near Madrid, Spain, final ink in worldwide tracking system to triple useful distance of spacecraft in deep space missions, NASA announced. Antenna, to be operative in 1973, would duplicate largest fully steerable antenna in U.S. at Goldstone, Calif. Another 64-m antenna was under construction at Tidbinbilla, Australia. Combined facilities would provide continuous tracking of spacecraft carrying, experiments several hundred million kilometers into space and might reach to edge of solar system. Madrid antenna was being built by NASA under agreement with Spain's Instituto Nacional de Technica Aeroespacial (INTA). (NASA Release 70-104)
ERs data-handling problem was discussed by Dr, John M. DeNoyer, Director of Earth Observations Programs, NASA OSSA, in testimony before House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries' Sub committee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation; "Fact that over one million photographic frames are currently on file indicates the scope of the developing ERs data handling problem, particularly in view of the forthcoming ERTS A&B data." NASA had established Data Management Working Group. At request of OST, NASA had been conducting, with user agencies, study of basic approach to be used. "The primary initial demand will be for imagery, as few users will be equipped for automatic data processing. The basic approach agreed upon is one designed to store, retrieve, and disseminate imagery. The approach is a multi-agency network, all participants using standard methods, and a common retrieval system based upon a central computer linked to many input/output remote consoles by telephone lines. The retrieval system will be similar to the NASA RECON " (Testimony)
Post-Apollo-13 poll showed U.S. public was opposed by 64% to 30% to mayor space funding over next decade, Louis Harris reported in Chicago Tribune. Of 1520 persons polled, 55% said they were very worried about fate of Apollo 13 astronauts following mission abort, 24% were somewhat worried, 20% were not very worried, and 1% were not sure. Total of 71% expected fatal accident would occur on future mission, 18% thought it would not occur, and 11% were unsure. (C Trib, 6/25/70, F12)
NASA announced award of $9406000 cost-plus-incentive-award-fee contract to Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. for development and construction of improved shroud system for Centaur vehicle. Con tract provided for delivery of six shroud systems, one to be tested, and others to be flown on Titan IIID-Centaur rockets. (LeRC Release 70-28)
Senate confirmed nomination of Dr. T. Keith Glennan, first NASA Administrator, to be U.S. representative to International Atomic Energy Agency with rank of Ambassador. (CR, 6/25/70, 59950)
Lockheed Aircraft Corp. announced 13% cutback, amounting to 13 000 jobs, by end of 1970. Officials blamed USAF reduction in order for C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft from 115 to 81, completion of tooling and development phases, and delay in production go-ahead for short-range attack missile (SRAM) propulsion system. (W Post, 6/25/ 70, G 14)
Dr. Kenneth S. Pitzer resigned as President of Stanford Univ. In letter of resignation released by university, he said situation at Stanford "represents another manifestation of the destructive nature of the current conflict" in U.S. society. "Both on campus and off campus, support for reasoned discourse and nonviolent change has steadily diminished." (Turner, NYT, 6/26/70, 15)
NAS announced formation of Committee for International Environmental Programs (IEPC) to facilitate participation of U.S. scientists in international environmental activities, advise Federal Government, act as adhering group in U.S for international ecological programs on nongovernmental level, and develop and maintain clearinghouse for information on nongovernmental ecological activities. (NAS Release)
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