Sep 29 1972
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 521 from Plesetsk into orbit with 1014-km (630.1-mi) apogee, 976-km (606.5-mi) perigee, 105.0- min period, and 65.9° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/72; SF, 3/73, 114)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, spoke at dedication ceremony for Univ. of Kansas Space Technology Center and at joint University and Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Lawrence, Kan., cerebrating dedication. At dedication he said ceremony marked final step in NASA-sponsored program to build space-oriented research facilities at U.S. universities under Sustaining University Program started in 1960s. Univ. of Kansas Center was 37th and last facility to be completed. Dr. Fletcher said program had accomplished its mission "extremely well. These splendid facilities give our Nation the means of performing research that would be virtually impossible without them." Program's projects had been "invaluable in the successful accomplishment of many of our greatest achievements in space." NASA had found in universities "a concentrated source of one of the irreplaceable ingredients of advanced research programs-highly trained intellects. And now that they can work in facilities to match, we are expecting even more productive results." Dr. Fletcher discussed universities' role in NASA activities in luncheon speech: "We work with large and small universities in aeronautics and space programs supporting projects . . . relevant to NASA's mission and . . . compatible with university interests and capabilities. We encourage the use of NASA laboratory facilities and the exchange of information between university faculty and NASA scientists." More than 900 university experimenters had used space data, more than 300 investigators from 42 universities had analyzed lunar samples, 25 universities had conceived Apollo mission experiments, and 2500 active research grants and contracts had been issued to universities by NASA. "As we look beyond this decade we can be confident that we have a mechanism, through the space shuttle, to provide quick and easy access to space and at a cost that should encourage new opportunities and initiatives, particularly from the university community." (Texts)
U.S.S.R. ratified U.S.-U.S.S.R. Treaty on the Limitation of Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems and endorsed Interim Agreement With Respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. (Kaiser, W Post, 9/30/72, A24)
Appointment of William H. Rock, Assistant Program Manager for Apollo-Skylab Programs, as Manager of new Sciences and Applications Office at Kennedy Space Center was announced by KSC Director, Dr. Kurt H. Debus. New office would become KSC's interface with NASA's Office of Applications. (KSC Release 279-72)
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and U.S.S.R. State Committee for the Utilization of Atomic Energy had agreed to renew their technical cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy, AEC announced. Fifth in series of memoranda of cooperation initiated in 1959 had been signed in Moscow. Memorandum called for expanded cooperation in controlled thermonuclear fusion reactions and breeder reactors. (AEC Release P-307)
Laser fusion approach to thermonuclear power was discussed in Science article. Most U.S. fusion research for past 20 yrs had been directed toward containing fusion reaction with magnetic forces, but many scientists now thought fusion could first be achieved with high- powered lasers. "By bypassing the need for a magnetic field, the laser approach has also bypassed a long and depressing catalog of plasma instabilities that have thwarted the enthusiastic early hopes of physicists for proof of feasibility. But more than one major breakthrough per year in later development may be necessary before scientists can make hydrogen in a reactor hotter and denser than the sun." (Metz, Science, 9/29/72, 1180-1)
Boeing Co. Board made executive changes: President T. A. Wilson was elected Board Chairman, succeeding William A. Allen, whose retirement would become effective Sept. 30. Senior Vice President Malcolm T. Stamper was elected President and member of Board. Wilson would retain responsibilities of Chief Executive. Charles M. Pigott was elected to Board. (WSJ, 10/3/72, 13)
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