Apr 30 1973

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The Thomas D, White Space Trophy Award of the National Geographic Society was presented in Washington, D.C., to Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force [see April 28]. Secretary of Defense Elliot L. Richardson said at the award ceremony: "Bob Seamans is a distinguished scientist and administrator. He was formerly the Deputy Administrator of NASA and, for the past four years, has led the Air Force through a period marked by operational innovations and the initiation of a large number of essential modernization programs. Under his leadership a number of major advances have been made in the Department of Defense space programs, while the world has been mindful that United States operations in space do not pose a military threat to any country." Dr. Seamans had ensured "a close working relationship" between DOD and NASA, "including Defense support of NASA space operations and close cooperation in the design of the space shuttle.” (DOD Release 213-73)

Wallops Station reported on its cooperative research project with Virginia Polytechnic Institute's Agronomy Dept. to study the application of re­mote sensing to agriculture. Detailed investigations of circular soil ridges with depressed centers, common to Virginia's Eastern Shore, had been made by pedological and remote-sensing techniques. More than 150 ridges, called Carolina Bays, had been found in Accomack and Northampton Counties. The study included land management and micro­climate aspects of the Bays. (Wallops Release 73-3)

The National Science Foundation released Federal Support to Universities, Colleges, and Selected Nonprofit Institutions, Fiscal Year 1971 (NSF 73-300). Total Federal obligations (exclusive of loans) to institutions of higher learning increased in current and constant dollars. Current­dollar volume rose $253 million, or 8%, to a record $3480 million. Constant-dollar increase was 2%, the first increase since 1967. The first 100 universities and colleges in Federal support accounted for more than $2.4 billion during 1971, or 69% of Federal funds to all academic institutions. Private universities and colleges receiving Federal funds outnumbered public institutions receiving Federal funds 1242 to 1126, but public institutions accounted for 61% of total Federal obli­gations, 65% of degrees awarded, and 75% of students enrolled.

In 1971 life sciences research and development funding was $741 million, or 48% of all Federal R&D obligations. Obligations for general support of NSF and National Institutes of Health science programs was $100 million, the same level as in 1970. The Atomic Energy Commis­sion continued as the principal Federal agency funding academically associated R&D centers, with 6447o of the $984 million Federal total. NASA and the Dept. of Defense awarded $312 million, or 32% of the total. (Text)

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