Nov 4 1971
From The Space Library
National Capital Planning Commission approved plans for Smithsonian Institution's new $40-million National Air and Space Museum after hearing testimony from Museum Director Michael Collins, Apollo 11 astronaut. During 90-min debate, Commission member Paul Thiry described museum building, designed by architect Gyo Obata, as "industrial type" from "elevator-air conditioner school of architecture" lacking "classic proportions." Collins said museum would possess "flavor of air and space." Commission stipulated that building's roof remain clear of mechanical equipment and that use of granite and marble be considered for construction. Final approval of plans would be considered following Nov. 17 meeting of Fine Arts Commission. (Combes, W Post, 11/5/71, A14)
Successful first launch of Poseidon missile from surfaced submarine was observed by Soviet trawler at distance of 805 m (880 yds). Submarine U.S.S. Nathaniel Greene was surfaced 16 km (10 mi) east of Cocoa Beach, Fla. DOD later said it had not determined if Soviet vessel was intelligence-gathering ship. (W Post, 11/5/71, A5)
NASA'S structural analysis computer program (NASTRAN), designed to analyze behavior of elastic structures in space program, was being used by Ford Motor Co. in predicting performance of 1973 light truck components, NASA announced. Ford had reported 60% improvement in predicting behavior of components under stress and time-saving of two thirds in calculations. Program also had been used in design of people-mover system to be used at TRANSPO '72 exhibit planned for spring 1972 at Dulles International Airport, Va. (NASA Release 71-221)
Full-size plywood model of B-1 strategic bomber, designed as replacement for USAF B-52, was displayed for first time by North American Rockwell Corp. in Los Angeles. (W Post, 11/5/71, 3)
Soviet computer had calculated total weight of atmosphere at 5 quadrillion, 157 trillion tons, Tass reported. News agency said calculation was "essential for research in cosmonautics, space geodesy and gravimetry." Computer had, for first time, taken into account "all the peculiarities of the earth's relief and the distribution of temperatures on its surface," Tass said. (UPI, San Francisco Examiner, 11/5/71)
Wall Street Journal quoted Bank of America as saying California's aerospace employment should stabilize near end of 1971 "and hold fairly steady during 1972." Bank, in annual forecast of California economy, had said overall aerospace employment in state would not show marked improvement until early 1973 "when defense contracting and demand for commercial aircraft pick up." (WSJ, 11/4/71, 42)
Plans of naval historian R/A Samuel E. Morison (USN, Ret.) to retrace by air and sea 64 000-km (40000-mi) first circumnavigation of globe by Ferdinand Magellan in 1519 were described by New York Times. Adm. Morison would begin two-month voyage with Colombian diplomat, aviator, and explorer Mauricio Obregon in December. (NYT, 11/4/71, 45)
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