May 8 1970
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Aerobee 170 sounding rocket, launched by NASA from WSMR, carried MIT payload to 146.2-km (90.9-mi) altitude to obtain precise position of two or more x-ray sources. Instruments functioned satisfactorily, but timer on rocket closed shut-off valves at 46 secs. Good data were collected from first target, but data from second target were not expected to be useful. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Intelsat-III F-7, launched April 22, began lull-time regular commercial service. (ComSatCorp PIO; ComSatCorp Release 70-26)
Four ground test models of Apollo Telescope Mount manned solar observatory were under construction at MSFC Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, MSFC announced. Flight versions-prime spacecraft and backup-would follow. MSFC engineers were modifying laboratory, previously used for Saturn V assembly and early Skylab mockup work, for ATM fabrication role. Changes included installation of clean room where air would wash downward over unit under construction, installation of airlock 14 m (45 ft) high for moving hardware to and from building without contaminating air, and installation of second clean room and automatic checkout equipment in Quality and Reliability Assurance Laboratory area. (MSFC Release 70-87)
DOT announced plans to staff new Transportation Systems Center at Cambridge, Mass., with 425 employees beginning July 1, when agency would acquire former NASA ERC facility. DOT would retain as many ERC staff members as possible. Of 826 persons employed by NASA at ERC on Dec. 29, 1969, when ERC closing was announced, 159 had left and additional 56 had indicated they planned to leave. (DOT Release 10070)
In Science, Project Tektite I scientific team-Dr. H. Edward Clifton; Conrad V. W. Mahnken, John G. Vanderwalker, and Richard A. Waller-discussed results of February-April 1969 experiment sponsored by NASA, USN, Dept. of Interior, and General Electric Co. to provide data for behavioral, biomedical, and engineering studies and marine sciences program. Between 10% and 20% of waking time had been devoted to psychological tests for biomedical studies. Minor external ear infections contracted by -all divers was only health problem to affect scientific program. Experiments had demonstrated advantages of underwater habitation and saturation diving for biological and geological research: opportunity for continuous monitoring of organisms or processes and for more research time in water. (Science, 5/8/70, 659-63)
NASA and DOT announced award of $221000 contract to George Washington Univ. to analyze potential social impacts of future aviation technology and new air transportation systems. Analysis would support part of Civil Aviation R&D Policy Study being conducted jointly by NASA and DOT. (DOT Release 9870)
NASA and DOD budget cuts had contributed to dismissal of 60 persons -chiefly chemists, physicists, and physical science technicians-at National Bureau of Standards, Science reported. Bureau received about one third of its funding from NASA, DOD, and other agencies. (Science, 5/8/70, 682)
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