Mar 14 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon transmitted to Congress Aeronautics and Space Report of the President: 1971 Activities. In transmission message President said: "Aided by the improvements we have made in mobility, our explorers on the moon last summer produced new, exciting and useful evidence on the structure and origin of the moon. Several phenomena which they uncovered are now under study. Our unmanned nearby observation of Mars is similarly valuable and significant for the advancement of science. During 1971, we gave added emphasis to aeronautics activities which contribute substantially to improved travel conditions, safety and security, and we gained increasing recognition that space and aeronautical research serves in many ways to keep us in the forefront of man's technological achievements. There can be little doubt that the investments we are now making in exploration of the unknown are but a prelude to the accomplishments of mankind in future generations." Report said U.S. was "proceeding into this decade with clearly defined goals and objectives for its civilian space program." U.S. continued to invest "substantial resources" in space activities because of "national thrust to explore the unknown, the desire to acquire new knowledge, and the realization that space activity has practical and widely beneficial applications. Space is increasingly coming to be seen as an arena of human activity, rather than national activity, and there-fore a particularly congenial focus for cooperative undertakings that bring the people of the world together." (GR, 3/14/72, S3885; Text)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, and other officials testified before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences during FY 1972 NASA authorization hearings. Dr. Fletcher said: "I regard the fiscal year 1973 budget ... as marking the end of a difficult transition period for NASA. For the past 2 or 3 years, NASA, the executive branch, and the Congress have been grappling with questions on the course the Nation's space program should take in the 1970's and beyond. The main goals in science, exploration, and applications, and the advanced system and technology required to achieve these goals, have been identified ... and generally approved .... But there has remained a basic uncertainty .. , the question of cost. Can the Nation afford the space program of the 1970's? Will the approval of the Space Shuttle and the other programs ... commit the Nation to a large increase in future spending levels? "This year we can give clear answers to these questions, We can assure the committee, the Congress, and the public that the program we are proposing does not commit the country to higher budget levels in future years, at least measured in current dollars .... The revised plan is, I believe, more realistic and will give the Nation a good, viable, and balanced program in aeronautics and space at a cost it can afford."
Dr. George M. Low, Deputy Administrator, reported substantial progress in two basic cooperative activities with U.S.S.R.-joint work on compatible docking systems and exchanges in scientific areas, including lunar sample exchanges. In response to question, Dr. Low said he thought it likely U.S.S.R. would continue lunar program after U.S. completed Apollo program. "They may even try to land men on the moon in the latter part of this decade. That will be a catching-up process." To further question, Dr. Fletcher said that in late 1970s U.S.S.R. would be "doing things in the manned space program that are beyond what we would be able to do." From end of Skylab in 1973 until 1978, "it is likely that they will be carrying on some important activity and we will have no opportunity to respond until 1978" [with space shuttle]. Richard C. McCurdy, Associate Administrator for Organization and Management, submitted statement on NASA's work force: "When several reductions are made serially, as they have been in NASA over the past several years, the effects compound, and the healing processes, such as the resumption of hiring of younger people, the filling of vacancies via merit promotion do not have an opportunity to function." NASA was "feeling these disadvantageous effects severely." Most worrying was "dwindling of the supply of new blood." It was obvious "trend cannot continue without the health and vigor of the organization being undermined." NASA needed "to embark upon a period of stability" in work force to "return to normal personnel development practices, heal the damage of the past several years, and be prepared to meet the challenges of the 70's." With the "prospect of a period of relative stability in the general level of spending" and "clearer view of the NASA forward mission," such a policy was indicated.
Statement submitted by Daniel J. Harnett, Assistant Administrator for Industry Affairs and Technology Utilization, described NASA Regional Dissemination Centers' assistance to users "ranging from small businesses to the largest companies in our Nation's economy-across a broad spectrum of business sectors including manufacturing services, transportation and communications. The Centers also serve university faculty and students; varied national, state, and local organizations; and governmental entities at all levels." NASA RDCs had served more than 2000 organizations in 1971, of which over 48% of industrial users were small businesses. M/G Robert H. Curtin (USAF, Ret.), NASA Director of Facilities, submitted statement on facilities. In $77.3-million FY 1973 request for construction of facilities, $27.9 million was for modifications and additions to facilities for space shuttle, $11.2 million for facilities supporting scientific investigations in space, $12.9 million for facilities supporting aeronautical research and technology, and $25.3 million for smaller supporting activities and planning and design. (Transcript)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, Vice President and Group Executive of General Electric Co. and former NASA Administrator, delivered 1972 Tizard Memorial Lecture at Westminster School in London. Discussing man's future in space, Dr. Paine evaluated role of applications satellites: Their "great economic and social value" was apparent "although their full potential is not yet appreciated. Men on every continent regularly use these services today; shares can be bought in the enterprises that provide them. We must not, however, overlook the equal value of the new information about the earth's origin, history, environment, and destiny that our more basic lunar and planetary scientific programs are providing. Already studies of radiative energy transport in the atmosphere of Mars have contributed to terrestrial meteorology; lunar geological surveys have provided new clues to the early formation and structure of earth. The line between science and application in this rapidly advancing area is continually shifting and new scientific under- standing of such questions as the origin of the Ice Ages might be of incalculable human importance." (Text)
NASA released findings of U.S. authorities who met at Langley Research Center Aug. 16-20, 1971, to discuss detection of air and water pollution by remote sensing, especially from aircraft or satellites. Group had reported that remote sensing produced essential information unobtainable by other means. Measurements could be obtained by aircraft, high-flying balloons, and satellites and from ground, to provide picture of global or regional pollution problems. Group had recommended that new techniques and instrumentation be used as fully as possible with special emphasis on remote sensing potential of space technology. (NASA Release 72-58)
California Lt. Gov. Ed Reinecke in press release announced progress in application of NASA-developed technology to management of California's environment. Reinecke, chief aide to Gov. Ronald Reagan in developing use of new technology for solution of state problems, said Gov. Reagan had pronounced NASA technology vital to resource management. Series of symposia held in cooperative effort by State of California, Ames Research Center, and Univ. of California at Berkeley was examining environmental problems, including smog. (ARC Release 72-16)
Development by Ames Research Center scientists of simple aperture method that made microscopic details of atomic dimensions clearly visible under transmission electron microscopy was announced by NASA. Method permitted perception of distances of one angstrom in-stead of resolutions of three angstroms normally obtained with standard electron microscopes. Cancer researchers had obtained best results using NASA technique. (NASA Release 72-59)
U.S. patent No. 3649 921 was issued to Langley Research Center technician David F. Thomas for backpack harness that future astronauts could fasten with one hand, leaving other hand free for stabilization purposes in zero-g environment. Harness was pressure plate device with reinforced straps that encircled user's body automatically when his back was pressed against plate. Commercial applications might include use as safety belt in automobiles and aircraft and use by handicapped persons. (Biggins, Newport News, Va, Times-Herald, 4/6/72; Pat Off Pm)
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