May 21 1972
From The Space Library
Proposal for domestic communications satellite system was reviewed by John J. O'Connor in New York Times. Federal Communications Commission was considering several possible structures for system: completely open entry for applicants, with restrictions limited to antitrust considerations; approval of one applicant or consortium of applicants, subject to restrictions; or plan between these two. Spokes-man for one independent group, Network Project, had testified in May congressional hearings protesting that ownership and management by private industry would make granting access for either educational institution or individual "the prerogative of a specialized interest which has historically subordinated public service to private gain," Network Project viewed "public access to, and control of, satellite facilities as a fundamental right," particularly since "American people have already invested more than $20-billion in the space program through their taxes." Question should be opened to debate, including public. O'Connor asked: "Do we need a domestic satellite system? Do we want a `wired nation'? Who precisely is articulating these needs? And why?" Satellite research "dominated by the Defense Department" had "involved lasers, computers, sensors and a wide variety of surveillance technology. Cameras on helicopters have already been used to record unaware citizens. Will these techniques become a standard element in a domestic satellite system? And, if so, will the public have access similar to that of a local government or police department?" Questions accumulated. "The answers are, or should be, of public interest." (O'Connor, NYT, 5/21/72, 21)
White House announced plans for new series of awards, Presidential Prizes for Innovation. Prizes, to be distributed Sept. 15, would consist of medal and $50 000. Money would come from National Science Foundation budget for Research Applied to National Needs (RANN). Recipients would be chosen by Prizes Staff of White House Office of Science and Technology, headed by National Bureau of Standards physicist Carl M. Muelhause. Prizes would honor technological advances dealing with "significant problem" in domestic area. (Sci & Gov Rpt, 6/15/72, 2)
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