May 5 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 488 from Plesetsk into orbit with 317-km (197-mi) apogee, 185-km (115-mi) perigee, 89.5-min period, and 65.2° inclination. Satellite reentered May 18, (GSFC SSR, 5/31/72; SBD, 5/9/72, 48)
United Nations Legal Subcommittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space ended four-week session in Geneva with agreement on some articles in Soviet draft treaty to ensure free access to moon. Subcommittee had agreed to uphold right to explore and use moon and right of lunar explorers to use facilities placed on moon by another country in distress situations. U.S.S.R. had refused to accept U.S. proposals that treaty apply to other celestial bodies and that every country give 60-day notice before launching space mission. U.S. and U.S.S.R. had expressed reservations on draft convention introduced by France and Canada that would compel publication of launch information. (NYT, 5/6/72, 3:9)
Apollo 16 crew are debriefed on this day.
Plans for Upper Atmosphere Observatory for U.S. and Canadian scientists were described in Science by Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientist J. V. Evans. Ground-based observatory would be close to U.S.-Canadian border, near magnetic 60° latitude. It would provide first opportunity to measure all parameters important in upper atmosphere-altitude to 1000 km (620 mi) over north-south expanse of 1000 km. Users could observe two distinct parts of upper atmosphere and transition between them, one part coupled to earth by magnetic field and second part loosely held and subject to particle bombardment from outside earth. Observatory's applications would include long-distance radio communications, long-range weather prediction, and international cooperation in research and education. Facility, costing $14 million, would complement Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP). (Science, 5/19/72, 463-72)
Radar-guided USAF Sprint missile launched from Kwajalein Atoll intercepted multiple-warhead missile launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base over Pacific in second successful test of antiballistic missile against multiple targets. (UPI, NYT, 5/9/72, 33)
Award of $112 000 contract to McDonnell Douglas Corp. for visual system definition study leading to development of space shuttle mission simulator was announced by Manned Spacecraft Center. (MSC Release 72-92)
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