Aug 27 1987
From The Space Library
NASA and the Department of Defense announced that the conceptual design phase of the National Aero-Space Plane Program was finished. The program would now move to the subsystem fabrication and test portion of the program. This phase of the engine technology development would demonstrate the ability of airbreathing engines to power a horizontal takeoff and landing vehicle. It would demonstrate that the X-30 flight vehicle was capable of sustained hypersonic flight or direct, single stage, ascent into orbit. The development of this technology would create an entirely new family of operational aerospace vehicles. (NASA Release 87-129)
NASA Administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher issued a statement in response to Senator William Proxmire's request in Congress to abolish the Space Station program. Dr. Fletcher pointed out that the Space Station proposal has been repeatedly debated in Congress and each time has received bipartisan congressional support. He stressed that by abolishing the Space Shuttle program, the United States would abdicate its position as a world leader in space. He also emphasized that a Space Station would lead to new scientific and technological advances and would "provide infrastructure for future exploration of the solar system by manned spacecraft." (Statement by Dr. James C. Fletcher in Response to Senator Proxmire's Statement Asking for Abolishment of the Space Station, August 27, 1987)
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