Sep 1 1971
From The Space Library
Preliminary results of Apollo 15 scientific experiments were reported by principal experimenters at MSC press briefing. Columbia Univ, scientist Dr. Gary V. Latham reported that three-station seismometer network completed on moon by Apollo 15 had detected 39 events, including "most significant event we've recorded on the moon." Event was moonquake 800 km (500 mi) beneath surface-greater depth than for any quake recorded on earth-about 644 km (400 mi) west of crater Tycho. Apollo 15 seismic data also had revealed that swarms of quakes occurred on moon as they did on earth. Most intense swarm recorded "contained 30 events over a period of just 2 and a half days ... at very regular intervals, at about 2 hour spacing, and culminated in the largest moonquake yet recorded." Dr. Latham, Apollo program's chief seismic investigator, said data from missions to date had proved "that we can place long life geophysical observatories on the moon and they can exist years, which means that we can expect to maintain a network of stations with larger spacing between missions." Two heat probes drilled almost two meters (almost six feet) into surface had shown that moon was hot, with heat concentrated deep in interior or in pockets of radioactive mineral 160 km (100 mi) below surface. Temperature of moon increased 0.56 K (1°F) each foot deeper into moon, indicating heat flow from interior was one fifth earth's heat flow. Columbia Univ. scientist Dr. Marcus E. Langseth said this evidence showed that abundance of radioactive minerals in-side moon was at least comparable to abundance inside earth. It also suggested moon and earth were formed at same time from same elements. Cal Tech scientist Dr. Leon T. Silver and U.S. Geological Survey scientist Dr. Gordon A. Swann said Apollo 15 had discovered green rocks on moon composed of magnificently colored spheres of green glass. Dr. Paul W. Gast, Chief of zvsc Planetary and Earth Sciences Div., said 75 kg (165 lbs) of Apollo 15 lunar rocks had been logged to date and would be distributed to investigators. (Transcript; O'Toole, W Post, 9/2/71, Al)
NASA announced appointment of Dr. Charles A. Berry, Director of Medical Research and Operations at MSC, as NASA Director for Life Sciences. Appointment would become effective when successor for Dr. Berry was found. Dr. Berry would succeed Dr. James W. Humphreys, Jr., who became Secretary-Treasurer of American Board of Surgery. (NASA Ann, 9/1/71; NASA Release 71-166; Am Bd of Surgery No)
Second flight model of Lxv Rover was delivered by Boeing Co, to KSC for Apollo 16. (MSFC Release 71-144; KSC rio)
MSFC had signed level-of-effort contract with NR Rocketdyne Div. for design of Space Shuttle main engine, NASA announced. The interim contract-for four months at $1 million per month-had been signed pending GAO review of protest by United Aircraft Corp. Pratt & Whitney Div. of the contract award [see Aug. 3]. (NASA Release 71-165)
Former F-14 project manager Capt. Lionel E. Ames, Jr. (USN), said in interview that F-14 fighters would cost $16.6 million each-almost $4 million more than $12.7 million announced by DOD Aug. 10. He said confusion over cost illustrated some of problems he had had as project manager before being replaced. (W Star, 9/2/71, All)
Finalization of order for 175 F-4 jet fighter aircraft by Federal Republic of Germany was announced by Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird at DoD press conference. Order amounted to more than $750 million. (Transcript)
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