NASA SP-4015 - ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1970 - Chronology on Science, Technology, and Policy

Aug 23, 2026

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Comprehensive chronology of 1970 aerospace milestones, designed as a rapid reference for historians and analysts to preserve accuracy and precision. Covers major space and aeronautics events including Apollo-era lunar science, canceled Apollo missions, studies of reusable space shuttles, and the progression of the Skylab program toward early-1973 launch. Summarizes satellite science achievements, new U.S. payloads such as ITOS and Intelsat communications, and the advancement of international and aeronautics research.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages522

Reading Time21 h 55 min

AccessFree to download

Foreword

Contents

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Appendix A: Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights, a Chronicle for 1970

Appendix B: Chronology of Major NASA Launches, 1970

Appendix C: Chronology of Manned Space Flight, 1970

Appendix D: Abbreviations of References

Illustrations

NASA SP-4015 CASE FILECOPY ASTRONAUTICS ANDNERONAUTICS.1970CHRONOLOGY ONSCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY,AND POLICYNTONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ASTRONAUTICS ANDAERONAUTICS, 1970 Chronology on Science,Technology,and Policy Text by Science and Technology DivisionLibrary of Congress Sponsored byNASA Historical Office Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-60308 Foreword This volume provides an immediate reference to aerospace-relatedevents of 1970,enabling all of us to broaden or to refresh our crowdedmemories.As part of NASA's chronology series it is intended to help his-torians and other analysts in preserving historical accuracy and preci-sion. Perhaps the Apollo 13 problems that resulted in using the lunar landerAquarius as a “lifeboat”will be the most readily recalled of the 1970events.Yet,as this volume clearly indicates,there were many signifi-cant milestones in space and aeronautics.The lunar samples returned byApollo 11 and 12 were intensively studied in the United States and 16other countries;the last two Apollo missions scheduled were canceled;the feasibility of reusable space shuttles as a means of reducing the costand expanding the versatility of space operations was examined ingreater detail;the Skylab program to evaluate man's adaptation to thespace environment proceeded toward its launchings in early 1973.Divi-dends continued to be returned from our scientific satellites already inorbit:Pioneer VI completed six orbits of the sun,providing data on solarweather on the far side of the sun;Oao IIbegan transmitting ultravioletspectral data on some 25000 stars;Ogo II,IV,V,and VImade sky sur-veys which could correlate geophysical data from other satellites,sounding rockets,and ground-based instruments.Among the 38 newpayloads launched by the United States were the first prototype satellitefor an operational weather system,ITOS,and three Intelsat communica-tions satellites.Japan and China both launched their first satellites dur-ing 1970.In aeronautics,research and development on the supercriticalwing culminated in the first flight tests.And the X-24 "lifting body"made its first flight early in the year and moved into supersonic flight inOctober. Other kinds of events are also included in this chronology.Dr.Cyril A.Ponnamperuma of the Ames Research Center reported the first posi-tive identification of amino acids of extraterrestrial origins,found in themeteorite that fell near Murchison,Australia,in 1969.Numerous entriesevidence increasing international cooperation in and mutual benefitsfrom space activities. The overall space program was being evaluated during all of 1970—atperhaps the very peak of our technological and scientific achievementsin exploration,in basic science,and in application to earth-bound needs.Questions of the basic value of and the need for space activities in rela-tion to needs for solutions of problems on earth were being explored inall sectors of our national life.The space frontier has been crossed andmen,their thoughts and their machines,are no longer bound to ourhome planet Earth.The accessibility of space will have a place in man'slife and thinking for all his future.Even against a backdrop of the broadrange of earth-bound problems—poverty,pollution,world peace,and disruptive changes besetting most social institutions—man's newperspective on his place in a dynamic universe is a basic challenge.Weappear to have been in an escalating scientific and technological revolu-tion during the 20th century,its intellectual stimulus and constructivevalues perhaps best symbolized by the intense space venture of the pastdecade. The space program as a human enterprise,gaining new knowledge andskills and applying them to practical purpose,seems a symbol muchneeded in a world beset by doubts and fears and frustrations and withmany difficult problems yet to solve. Homer E.NewellAssociate AdministratorNational Aeronautics and Space Administration September 17,1971 Cont

FAQs

What is the purpose of this volume on 1970 space and aerospace events?

It provides an immediate reference to aerospace-related events of 1970, helping historians and analysts maintain historical accuracy and precision.

Which major Apollo-related developments are highlighted for 1970?

The text notes intensive study of lunar samples returned by Apollo 11 and 12, and it reports that the last two Apollo missions scheduled for the period were canceled.

What kinds of satellite and aeronautics achievements are included?

It summarizes scientific satellite activities such as solar-weather and ultraviolet spectral transmissions, new U.S. payloads like ITOS and Intelsat satellites, Japan and China’s first satellites in 1970, and aeronautics advances including supercritical-wing flight tests and the X-24 lifting body.

Aug 23, 2026

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