Nov 23 1971
From The Space Library
Four extra manned space flight missions to use four Apollo spacecraft and one Saturn V launch vehicle left after 1973 Skylab mission were proposed by MSC officials to NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dale D. Myers at NASA Hq. Missions would include one lunar flight and three Saturn IB - launched earth-orbital missions. Houston Chronicle later quoted MSC Deputy Director Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., who had presented proposal, as saying MSC plan called for one mission of up to nine days in lunar orbit. Astronauts could map 60% of lunar surface and place Nimbus weather satellite in lunar orbit to complete photography of entire moon in one year. (Hill, H Chron, 11/29/71)
Commercial pilot Elgin L. Long flew over South Pole in twin-engine Piper Navajo aircraft to become first man to make solo flight over both North and South Poles during one journey. Long, who left San Francisco Nov. 5, had flown over North Pole to Stockholm, then to London, Africa, Brazil, and Chile before crossing South Pole. (W Post, 11/23/71, B3)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning, was first speaker in LeRC Awareness Program series. Dr. Von Braun said at LeRC: "Our agency is at the crossroads. Our success story is our greatest enemy." After four successful manned lunar landings, people had become complacent. If NASA fell behind U.S.S.R. in space, it would create another "Sputnik" environment. (Lewis News, 12/3/71, 1)
NASA announced selection of TRW Systems Group for negotiations leading to $70-million contract for development of High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAD). Seven-year contract for two spacecraft would be awarded in 1972 and was expected to extend through launch and mission support for orbital operations. NASA planned to launch first HEAO unmanned scientific satellite from ETR on Titan III booster in 1975 and second, 15 mos. later. (NASA Release 71-233; NYT, 11/26/71, 30)
Soviet defectors-writer Leonid Vladimirov, who defected in 1966, and scientist Anatoly Fedoseyev [see June 19]-said at London press conference that Soviet space technology had lagged behind that of U.S. and had produced less scientific data. Fedoseyev, not present but responding by tape recorder to questions put to him previously, said he did not think Soviet space achievements would be scientifically impressive for some time because Soviet space program was short of funds and technology level was low. Fedoseyev was said to have been responsible for bringing down U-2 reconnaissance aircraft pilot Francis Gary Powers in May 1960, Reuters later reported. (Reuters, B Sun, 11/24/71, A4)
Senate by vote of 82 to 14 adopted amendment to H.R. 11731, FY 1972 Defense Establishment appropriations bill, and passed bill by vote of 80 to 5. Amendment proposed by Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.) would provide $250 million for F-4 jet aircraft for Israel. (CR, 11/23/71,S19463-551)
USN Naval Air Systems Command announced issuance of $3-million letter of offer and acceptance to U.K. Ministry of Defence for product support engineering services for Pegasus 11 engines for Harrier aircraft. Work would be performed by Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Ltd. (non Release 1191-71)
Washington Post editorial commented on plans for new Air and Space Museum: "We are glad that skyrocketing costs have brought the proposed National Air and Space Museum down to earth. The trouble with the design architect Gyo Obata prepared several years ago was not only that it would now cost $70 million to build. It was also far too grandiose, bold and ambitious." U.S. air and space accomplishments "have a very prominent place in the hearts of the American people , . they should also have a prominent place in the nation's capital. But that is not to say that we need or want a monumental aircraft hangar." Museum Director, Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins, had described new museum as "national center for education about the science and technology of flight and its economic, social, cultural and political meaning." New model, Post said, "shows a pleasing and interesting structure that is well behaved.... If it lacks architectural excitement, that is not what we want on the Mall." Post also published letter from Gilmore D. Clarke, former Chairman of Commission of Fine Arts, protesting construction of Air and Space Museum on Mall, "on a site of restricted size whereon the structure cannot be enlarged in the course of years as the science of aviation and outer space technology advances. Whatever is built will, within a decade or two, prove to be too small." (W Post, 11/23/71, A18, A19)
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