Jan 29 1980
From The Space Library
Dr. Robert A. Frosch, NASA administrator, appeared before the House Committee on Science and Technology to present the agency's budget request for 1981. After reviewing events of last year, Frosch said NASA would need by July 1 the extra $300 million requested as a supplement to stay within Shuttle cost estimates and maintain development and production schedules. Problem areas had been the Shuttle engines and the thermal protection system (TPS); recent tests had given NASA "increased confidence" in the main engines, but Frosch said that he was "not completely satisfied" with the tiles and their attachment to the Shuttle surface. He said the tiles might not be installed and fully tested before the end of summer, so that the first launch might not come until the end of 1980. The original date of launch was March 1979, and the last previous prediction was June of 1980. Frosch said he expected the first flight "between November and the end of March 1981. A year from now might be a more realistic date." (Text, Jan 29/80; NY Times, Jan 30/80, A-17)
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