May 18 1972
From The Space Library
House Committee on Appropriations favorably reported H.R. 15093, FY 1973 Dept. of Housing and Urban Development-space- science-veterans appropriations bill that included $3.349-billion NASA appropriation. Appropriation-$58 million less than budget estimate of $3.407 billion, but $39 million above FY 1972 appropriation of $3.310 billion-allocated $2.55 billion for research and development (R&D), down $50.9 million from budget request; $69.7 million for construction of facilities, $7.5 million below budget estimate; and $729.45 million for research and program management as requested. Committee did not distribute R&D funds but recommended balanced program to continue "useful and significant . . projects in space science, exploration, practical applications of advanced technology, and aeronautics' approved authorization bill's levels for aviation safety and noise reduction program; and deferred request of $5.54 million for construction of facilities for manufacturing and final assembly of space shuttle at "various locations" until "such sites are decided upon and plans are developed." (H Rpt 92-1071)
Canada and European Space Research Organization (ESRO) signed space cooperation agreement under which ESRO would fly equipment on board Canada's Communications Technology Satellite, scheduled for launch by NASA in 1975. Equipment to be supplied by ESRO included traveling-wave tube, parametric amplifier, and solar cells. (SBD, 5/30/72, 150; Canadian Embassy PIO)
NASA Equal Opportunity Council to review, advise, and recommend on implementation of NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Program was established by Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator. Membership of full-time NASA employees from key staff and program offices would serve two-year terms, Chairman, Bernard Moritz, would serve one-year term. (NASA Activities, 6/15/72, 119)
Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, discussed cost of doing business in space in speech before Aerospace Industries Assn.'s 26th Williamsburg Conference at Williamsburg, Va. NASA was developing "steady flow of products in the space business." With shuttle "we will have a real opportunity to do something about the high cost of doing business in space." Formula was to identify areas with greatest potential payoff for cost improvement, determine standard requirements for systems with highest potential payoff for future spacecraft, develop these standard items with low cost and high reliability, and ensure that items were used. "Our work to improve the costs of the things we will do in space is an essential adjunct to the Shuttle-not only for our own projects, but to help pave the way for many more commercial uses of space." (Text)
International treaty banning emplacement of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction on seabed came into force with signing of articles of ratification in Washington, London, and Moscow. (W Post, 5/17/72, A20; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 5/19/72, A7)
Apollo 14 Astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell described tests of extrasensory perception (ESP) he made during Jan. 31-Feb. 9, 1971, mission at 15th annual conference of Spiritual Frontiers Fellowship in Chicago. Mitchell had attempted to send messages from spacecraft to four "receivers" on earth and had reported later that some "exchanges" had been made. (C Daily News, 5/13/72; A&A 1971; MSC PAO)
General Electric Co. and Esso Research & Engineering Co. would support $3-million research project by Univ. of Rochester to explore possible use of laser beams to ignite hydrogen fusion fire for electric power production, Wall Street Journal reported. (WSJ, 5/18/72)
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