+ 1970 News Releases (7.6 Mb PDF file) - NASA

3/1/70
DRAFT _S RE VLEASE
2.3 grams of powdered lunar material from Apollo 11 rock number 50
disappeared Saturday night while on display at a Los Angeles charity
benefit.
The missing lunar material checked out to Dr. George Weatherill
of the Institute of Geophysics_ U.C.L.A._ was being shown at a $100-
a-plate fund raising dinner attended by 275-300 persons in support of
the Saul Winstein and the Doheny Eye Foundations.
NASA-MSC was notified of the disappearance by U.C.L.A. officials
early Sunday morning. The lunar material was being displayed in a small vial.
Mr. Anthony J. Calio, Director of Science and Applications at MSC
said the FBI has been requested to investigate the disappearance.
Mr. Calio said further: "Although I'm certain all principal investigators
associated with lunar sample analysis recognize the importance
of safeguarding their samples in accordance with established procedumes_
this unfortunate incident underlines the necessity for strict observance
of security regulations in order to maintain a productive scientific
investigation of lunar materials."
NASA's agreement with all investigators requires security measures
be followed while the samples are in possession of the investigators.
Approval for public nonscientific display must be requested from NASA
Headquarters_ Washington, D. C. Records there do not indicate such a
request was made for this event.
Public display must be on a noninterference basis with the
investigation and with the same security requirements in force.
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