May 28 1967
From The Space Library
Dept. of Agriculture scientists, in April testimony released by House Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Dept. of Agriculture, predicted that the application of remote sensing techniques developed in conjunction with US. space program, could revolutionize agriculture. They requested $340,000 for FY 1968 to adapt equipment to agricultural requirements. Equipment, currently flown in aircraft, was used to identify accurately and within minutes the soil conditions and moisture, crop yield, and incidence and severity of diseases. Dr. G. W. Irving, Jr., Agriculture Administrator of Agricultural Research Service, predicted: "Once we are in operation from satellite-type spacecraft, the possibilities for securing vast amounts of useful information within extremely short time periods are almost limitless." (AP, B Sun, 5/29/67)
Some of the developments in the US. space program which had benefited the field of medicine were cited by John G. Rogers in Parade magazine. "A TV camera so tiny it can be dropped down your throat to study your ulcers . . . an ultra-sensitive device to detect the now undetectable first faint muscle quivers of dread Parkinson's disease . . . a heart examination table that escapes all foreign vibrations by suspending the patient on a sheet of air . . . a versatile electronic system that can keep close watch on 128 intensive-care patients at one time and `shout' an alarm if one needs instant attention." Rogers also noted "magic glasses" which enable paralysis victims, by moving their eyeballs, to regulate electronically many activities necessary to daily life. (Rogers, Parade, 5/28/67, 1 4 5 )
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