Jun 22 1967
From The Space Library
Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences voted to report $4.851 billion NASA authorization bill (S. 1296)-$249 million less than $5.1 billion NASA had requested for FY 1968. Committee reductions included $120 million from Apollo Applications (AA) program and $71.5 million-total amount requested-from Voyager program. Responding to Committee report, NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., issued a statement saying that the affected programs were of "first-rank importance to mankind. The scientists of this country have expressed deep concern that the United States is not making enough progress in the exploration of the planets. "We feel that many members of Congress will want to give further consideration to the President's recommendations" for the AA program. (Reistrup, W Post, 6/24/67)
House completed general debate on NASA FY 1968 authorization bill (H.R. 10340) and was scheduled to resume discussion of bill June 27 when amendments would be considered and final vote taken. During debate Rep. Delbert L. Latta (R-Ohio) criticized the $444.7 million recommended by Committee on Science and Astronautics for the Apollo Applications (AA) program: ". . . we could spend [that money] toward research and possible cure of cancer, stroke, and heart disease, rather than some nebulous undefined program that will take place when-and I emphasize this point-and after we get to the moon. This money is to be spent on hardware after we get to the moon. No one knows when we are going to get there . . -[and] if we spend this money perfecting these vehicles and this hardware today, it might be out of date when we get to the moon. . . ." Rep. Olin Teague (D-Tex.) , Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight, defended the $444.7-million recommendation. "The manned space flight program-Apollo, Apollo applications and advanced manned missions-drives the Apollo effort into its final phases and begins the work of realizing benefits for man on earth. It supports national security, fosters national growth, expands knowledge, and retains options for the future at a cost the country can well afford. To delay this program is, in effect, to cancel it. Such a decision would put the space plum in the hands of the Soviet Union. . . ." (NASA LAR V/68; CR, 6/22/67, H7782, H7797)
NASA test pilot William H. Dana flew X-15 No. 3 to 82,000-ft altitude and 3,682 mph (mach 5.52) in flight at Edwards AFB. Purposes of test: (1) cold-wall heat transfer; (2) step-panel heat transfer; (3) boost guidance checkout; (4) sonic boom study; and (5) PCM checkout. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA test pilots Fitzhugh Fulton and Donald Mallick flew X-70 No. 1 to mach 1.8 and 55,000-ft altitude in test to check out stability and control of handling qualities, by-pass airflow calibration, and nose ramp flutter. (XB-70 Proj Off)
MSFC awarded contract extensions--$149,914 to Bendix Corp. and $149,485 to Boeing Co.-to conduct specified design study tasks on the Local Scientific Survey Module (LSSM) , a vehicle being proposed for transporting men on the lunar surface. Modifications extended through August 1967 two parallel six-month contracts awarded the firms June 29,1966. (MSFC Release 67-130)
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