Feb 9 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon sent United States Foreign Policy for the 1970's: The Emerging Structure for Peace to Congress. Third annual report on U.S. foreign policy analyzed world situation. Of space, President said: "As our astronauts have seen, the unity of the Earth is experienced most vividly from outer space. And conversely, seen from our planet, space itself is a frontier to mankind as a whole, not merely to individual nations. Space is, therefore, an unparalleled field for cooperation among nations. "As we move into the second decade of space exploration, the U.S. is committed to work with others in space for the benefit of all man-kind. We are taking whatever steps can reasonably and properly be taken to work with other countries in the development of their space skills. "Specifically, we have assured the European Space Conference that its member countries may obtain our assistance in launching satellites which are for peaceful purposes and which are consistent with inter-national obligations embodied in such agreements as the Outer Space Treaty and the arrangements for the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT). We are prepared to consider such assistance to other interested countries. In addition, we are working closely with the Europeans on the concepts and design of a reusable space transportation system. "Over the past year, NASA has agreed with the Soviet Academy of Sciences to significant cooperation in specific space tasks, and in the exchange of information and plans concerning our respective space programs. We have exchanged samples of lunar soil. We are examining together the means to enable Soviet manned spacecraft and our own to rendezvous and dock in space. Joint expert groups have been meeting to arrange details of further collaboration in space meteorology, biology, and medicine, in the study of the natural environment, and in exploration of the moon and planets. "In 1971, after years of negotiation in which the United States has played a leading role, the United Nations General Assembly approved an Outer ,Space Liability Convention... . "Last year also brought a new definitive charter for the operation of INTELSAT...." President said NASA-Soviet Academy of Sciences space cooperation had been among series of U.S.-Soviet agrements, "striking both in their diversity and in their promise of mutual advantage." But in "changed world" conditioning U.S. foreign policy, President noted "the end of an indisputable U.S. superiority in strategic strength," and its replacement by a strategic balance in which the U.S. and Soviet nuclear forces were comparable. U.S.S.R. had continued to improve its capability in "virtually every category of strategic offensive and defensive weapons. . . Soviet strategic forces, even at current levels, have the potential of threatening our land-based ICBMs if the Soviets choose to make certain qualitative improvements. They have the necessary technological base." People's Republic of China was "continuing to develop a strategic offensive capability. The possibility of accidental attacks remains." President said it was wise for U.S. to begin Safeguard ABM deployment, but "we may soon complete a SALT agreement with the USSR which will limit ABM deployment." President commended 1970 Hague and Montreal International Civil Aviation Organization conventions to deter aircraft hijacking and sabotage: "These two conventions will increase the likelihood that hijackers, saboteurs, and persons committing other attacks against civil aircraft will be punished. . . . Universal ratification would ensure that air pirates could find no place to hide. "We intend to press for wide adherence to these agreements and for continued international cooperation, including exchanges of information on security measures. We will also continue to urge international agreement to suspend air service to countries which refuse to cooperate in the release of hijacked aircraft and in the punishment of hijackers." (PD, 2/14/72, 235-411)
Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, warned of challenges to U.S. leadership in technology if U.S. did not proceed in space shuttle development. In speech before Advertising Club of Baltimore he said: "The problem is very real. Last year, the United States for the first time had an annual trade deficit, a negative balance of trade, of over $2 billion. But this deficit would have been three times that amount-$6 billion-had it not been for a favorable balance of almost $4 billion achieved in the aerospace field." Decision to proceed with space shuttle "provides a needed tool for the space program, and it will keep the United States strong in advanced technology." (Text)
President Nixon's decision that proposed joint Federal Aviation Administration and European Space Research Organization aeronautical satellite program should be "substantially redirected" was conveyed to Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe in memo from Presidential Assistant, Dr. Henry A. Kissinger. Memo said joint program was "not in accord with Administration policy." Every effort would be made to reassure ESRO governments that U.S. "fully supports international cooperation in space even though it cannot accept the specific proposals contained in the current draft FAA/ESRO Memorandum of Understanding." (Av Wk, 2/21/72, 17; Aug, W Star, 2/11/72)
Edgar M. Cortright, Langley Research Center Director, advocated development of supersonic transport in speech before National Security Industrial Assn. in Washington, D.C.: "The day will come when virtually all intercontinental and some transcontinental air traffic will be supersonic-or faster." U.S. "must develop a supersonic transport or abdicate its enviable position as master builder of the world's commercial aircraft." If U.S. reentered SST competition, next SST "must be better than the one we canceled. It must be quieter, have a greater payload fraction, and have longer range-transpacific if possible." Because of lost time, competition "will not be the Concorde, but a follow-up super-Concorde of unknown characteristics." U.S. should "proceed with a sense of urgency" in developing necessary technology to produce a superior aircraft. "I believe that there is a remarkable unanimity in the aircraft and air transport industries that a good SST would be a winner for the United States-creating jobs and National income." (Text)
Manned Spacecraft Center announced appointment of Richard S. Johnston, Deputy Director for Biomedical Engineering, as Acting Director of Medical Research and Operations. Johnston would assume responsibilities formerly held by Dr, Charles A. Berry, who became NASA Director of Life Sciences Sept. 1, 1971. (MSC Release 72-36)
Pupils from seven suburban schools in Cleveland, Ohio, area visited Lewis Research Center to discuss participation in joint LeRC and Cleveland Div. of Air Pollution Control project to measure trace elements in air. NASA would supply equipment to schools for sampling outside air. Samples would be analyzed at LeRC and compared with Cleveland air. (Cleveland PD, 2/10/72)
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