Apr 25 1978
From The Space Library
NASA announced plans to launch an orbital test satellite (OTS) May 4 on a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral; KSC would launch the experimental comsat for ESA. (KSC Release 45-78)
The House of Representatives, in a Committee of the Whole House, by a vote of 345 to 54 passed H.R. 11404, authorizing appropriations to NASA for research and development, construction of facilities, research and program management, and other purposes. Alterations in the bill resulted in a net increase of $43.7 million to the budget NASA had submitted. Included were a $4-million increase to maintain the option for a fifth Space Shuttle orbiter; a $5-million decrease for expendable launch vehicles, slated to be phased out; a $3-million increase for space structures, power conversion, and microwave technology; a $3-million increase in energy-technology applications for solar-satellite power; a $10-million increase for applications research and technology development; a $1.5-million increase for industrial applications; a $4-million increase for technology applications (bioengineering); a $4-million increase for Spacelab systems implementation; and a $4-million increase for a Stereosat development program.
In debate recorded in the Congressional Record, Rep. Olin Teague (D-Tex.) of the House Committee on Science and Technology noted that NASA had scheduled 25 launches in 1978, 11 on Delta (launch vehicles) and 8 on Atlas Centaurs, with NASA personnel supporting 3 Atlas-F launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base; "Most of the launches in 1977 emphasized the use of space for the direct benefit of people on earth-such as communications, geodetic, environmental, navigation, meteorological, and earth resources. In 1978 plans call for missions virtually equally divided between emphasis on these applications and launches of spacecraft for primarily scientific and exploratory research.
"Fifteen launches will be for paying customers other than NASA. They include the European Space Agency, ComSatCorp., the U.S. Navy, Japan, the 'National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
"The launch schedule for 1978 could not have been conceived of in 1958 when our space program began. In 1998 people will look back to 1978 and likely say the same thing. That will only occur if we support a strong continuing space program." (CR, Apr 25/78, 3164-3166)
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