Jan 20 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon delivered State of the Union address before joint session of Congress and sent written message to Congress. He said in speech: "In reaching the moon, we demonstrated what miracles American technology is capable of achieving. Now the time has come to move more deliberately toward making full use of that technology here on earth, of harnessing the wonders of science to the service of man." He would propose new "Federal partnership" in technological research and development "with Federal incentives to increase private research, federally supported research on projects . . . to improve our everyday lives." In written message President said dealings with U.S.S.R. had "advanced the prospects for limiting strategic armaments. We have moved toward greater cooperation in space research and toward improving our economic relationships." President said he would request Dept. of Defense budget increase "to preserve the sufficiency of our strategic nuclear deterrent, including an allocation of over $900 million to improve our sea-based deterrent force." He had instructed DOD "to develop a program to build additional missile launching submarines, carrying a new and far more effective missile." Space program had been reoriented to produce increased domestic benefits: "In recent years, America has focused a large share of the technological energy on projects for defense and for space. The projects have had great value. Defense technology has helped us preserve our freedom and protect the peace. Space technology has enabled us to share unparalleled adventures and to lift our sights beyond earth's bounds. The daily life of the average man has also been improved by much of our defense and space research-for example, by work on radar, jet engines, nuclear reactors, communications and weather satellites, and computers. Defense and space projects have also enabled us to build and maintain our general technological capacity, which-as a result-can now be more readily applied to civilian purposes. "America must continue with strong and sensible programs of research and development for defense and for space. I have felt for some time, however, that we should also be doing more to apply our scientific and technological genius directly to domestic opportunities. Toward this end, I have already increased our civilian research and development budget by more than 40 percent since 1969 and have directed the National Science Foundation to give more attention to this area "I recently announced support for the development of a new earth orbital vehicle that promises to introduce a new era in space research." Reusable space shuttle would lower cost and risk of space operations and open new opportunities in weather forecasting, communications, monitoring natural resources, and air traffic safety. "The space shuttle is a wise national investment." Proposals included increase of $700 million in civilian R&D, 15% increase over previous year. And technically oriented agencies like NASA and Atomic Energy Commission would work more closely with agencies with primary social mission like Dept. of Transportation. (PD, 1/24/72, 74-92)
Air Force launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base by single Titan IIID booster. First satellite entered orbit with 340-km (211-mi) apogee, 150-km (93-mi) perigee, 89.3-min period, and 96.9° inclination and reentered Feb. 29. Second entered orbit with 550-km (342-mi) apogee, 470-km (292-mi) perigee, 94.8- min period, and 96.5° inclination. (Pres Rpt 73; SBD, 1/24/72, 100)
NASA test pilots Stuart M. Present, age 41, and Mark C. Heath, age 37, were killed when their T-38 aircraft crashed on landing at Matagorda Island off coast of Texas. Radar contact was lost during third instrument approach to landing strip while fog bank was moving in. Pilots were checking out T-38 for use by astronauts to maintain flight proficiency. (MSC Release 72-20)
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