Mar 16 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon praised ability of Americans to "harness the discoveries of science in the service of man" in message to Congress on science and technology: "They have found a way of preventing polio, placed men on the moon, and sent television pictures across the oceans." But, "when other countries are rapidly moving upward on the scientific and technological ladder, challenging us both in intellectual and in economic terms," U.S. position in aircraft, steel, automobile, and shipbuilding industries "is not as strong as it once was. A better performance is essential to both the health of our domestic economy and our leadership position abroad." " U.S. should "combine the genius of invention with the skills of entrepreneurship, management, marketing and finance;" ensure favorable environment for technological innovation; realize "that mere development of a new idea does not necessarily mean that it can or should be put into immediate use;" encourage young people to become "dedicated scientists and engineers;" continue priority assigned to basic research and to "exploratory experiments which provide the new ideas on which our edifice of technological accomplishment rests;" and "appreciate that the progress we seek requires a new partnership in science and technology-one which brings together the Federal Government, private enterprise, State and local governments, and our universities and research centers in a coordinated, cooperative effort to serve the national interest."
President had increased FY 1973 Dept. of Defense budget to "ensure our strategic deterrent capability, continue the modernization of our Armed Forces, and strengthen the overall technological base that under-lies future military systems." To "apply our scientific resources in meeting civilian needs," President had developed "overall strategic approach in the allocation of Federal scientific and technological resources." He urged Congress to support new strategy that included reorientation of space program "to focus on domestic needs-such as communications, weather fore-casting and natural resource exploration. One important way ... is by designing and developing a reusable space shuttle, a step which would allow us to seize new opportunities in space with higher reliability at lower costs. " President also advocated "providing new sources of energy without pollution;" developing "fast, safe, pollution-free transportation;" reducing losses from natural disasters; improving programs to curb drug abuse; increasing biomedical research; providing better health care; and drawing more directly on "capabilities of our high technology agencies"-NASA, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Bureau of Standards-in applying R&D to domestic problems. To improve "climate for innovation"
President had proposed National Science Foundation support of "assessments and studies focused . , on barriers to technological innovation and on the consequences of adopting alternative Federal policies which would reduce or eliminate the barriers." Additionally he would "submit legislation to encourage the development of the small, high technology firms" and "provide additional means for the Small Business Investment Companies (SBICS) to improve the availability of venture capital to such firms." Among "cooperative international efforts" in science and technology President cited exchange of lunar samples with U.S.S.R. and exploration of "prospects for closer cooperation in satellite meteorology, in remote sensing of the environment, and in space medicine. Beyond this, joint working groups have verified the technical feasibility of a docking mission between a Salyut Station and an Apollo spacecraft." (PD, 3/20/72, 581-90)
NASA officials testified before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences during FY 1973 NASA authorization bearings, Roy P. Jackson, NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology, presented program request with increased emphasis on technology for "solving urgent domestic civil air transportation problems of noise and congestion," continuing concern for "rapidly growing foreign competition" to U.S. leadership in world aircraft markets, greater attention to "countering the erosion of this Nation's preeminence in military aeronautics," phase-over in space shuttle technology from exploratory activities to development support, continuing focus on space technology for advanced earth-orbit systems and outer planet exploration, change in emphasis from development of large nuclear rocket to continuing the technology base for nuclear propulsion, with focus on small high-energy system.
Budget also included continuing reduction of research staff and emphasis on up-grading existing facilities, with no new facilities requested. In aeronautics, advanced system studies in FY 1971 and FY 1972 had examined application to new subsonic and sonic aircraft designs of projected advances in aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, controls, and avionics; identified technology advances offering greatest economic and competitive position benefits; and defined actions to "bring the advanced technologies to a state of readiness for industry utilization by the late 1970s." Follow-on studies would be conducted in FY 1973 on "additional noise alleviation possibilities and on terminal compatibility." Application of supercritical aerodynamics and con-figuration treatment, engine noise and emission suppression techniques, composite structures, and use of active control systems "were shown to result in a quieter, safer, more economical subsonic/sonic transport having greater productivity than the current wide-body jet transports."
In FY 1973 "aerodynamics effort will concentrate on refinements of supercritical wing and related configuration treatment for transport concepts capable of increased flight efficiency." David S. Gabriel, Manager of AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Systems Office, testified on office's on-going work after termination of nuclear engine for rocket vehicle application (NERVA) program June 30,1972: "To reach the outer planets in reasonably short trip times during the 1980's requires more advanced propulsion systems than are currently available. Among the candidate propulsion systems for these missions is a small, approximately 15,000-pound-thrust [66 720-newton-thrust] nuclear rocket engine, more suited to these unmanned outer planet missions than the large NERVA engine. Other candidates include high-performance chemical rockets and solar-and-nuclear-electric propulsion. "For the balance of this fiscal year and during the next, we will compare ... candidate propulsion systems for a variety of future potential missions of the 1980's and 1990's including the outer planet exploration missions." (Transcript)
Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Sciences, reviewed space science program before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences during FY 1973 authorization hearings: Major accomplishment in astronomy in 1971 had been mapping of universe at x-ray wavelengths with first x-ray astronomy satellite, Explorer 42 (Uhuru, launched Dec. 12, 1970). Two dozen scientific articles had been published on observations by satellite; 116 objects emitting x-rays had been studied and positions accurately determined. Analysis of rocket data on one object indicated diameter was less than 20 km (13 mi), yet it emitted much larger amount of x-radiation than did sun. "The discovery of such X-ray sources is of fundamental importance because matter in ordinary states . . cannot account for such intense radiation."
In 1971 NASA had launched eight missions in physics and astronomy program. Most important was Orbiting Solar Observatory Oso 7 (launched Sept. 29, 1971), "which carried into orbit a set of solar telescopes more powerful than any launched before. One instrument-a coronagraph-revealed visible evidence of three luminous jets of intensely hot solar plasma being hurled out into space at a speed of more than two million miles per hour [some 3 million km per hr]. These luminous jets were 20 times the size of the earth, and represented the energy of 100 million atomic bombs. A peak temperature of 30 million degrees must have been attained in this event. Again ... matter must have been produced on a scale man cannot produce on earth." International cooperation continued major role in space science program; five of eight 1971 missions had had significant international participation. During year experiments and prime contractor, TRW Inc., had been selected for "newest and most significant program in astronomy"-High Energy Astronomy Observatory, designed to "unlock some of the most profound and puzzling secrets of modern physics." Pulsars and quasars had given evidence of new concept of energy generation that produced power at levels unexplainable by modern nuclear physics. (Transcript)
Tenth anniversary of U.S.S.R.'s first Cosmos satellite, Cosmos 1, launched March 16, 1962. Cosmos satellites' wide variety of functions were described in Trud by Soviet engineer T. Borisov.. Primary objectives of Cosmos program -which had included almost 500 spacecraft-were "profound and comprehensive scientific investigations of circumterrestrial space" and earth, improvement of space vehicles, and application of experiments "connected with the extensive use of space for national economic and cultural purposes. Very appreciable results have been achieved in .. . the historically short span of 10 years." Cosmos satellites had studied circumterrestrial plasma and its interconnection with earth's magnetic field, previously unknown dynamics of processes in upper atmosphere and space, and relationship between sun and earth, "Cosmos-261 and Cosmos-348 explored the plasma ocean. Cosmos-166, which spent a long time patrolling the sun, made a careful survey of the solar disc. Cosmos-92 and Cosmos-149 could be described as modern geophysical laboratories. The astronomers' automatic laboratory Cosmos-215 had eight telescopes on board to observe hot stars in visible and ultra-violet rays. It also had an X-ray telescope and two photometers to record solar radiation dispersed by the earth's upper atmosphere. " Series had also contributed to "the further improvement of space technology" and led to creation of first orbital station. "It was only after testing all the complex mechanical, electrical, and radio engineering systems and installations, and after two Cosmos satellite automatic dockings that the way was opened to Soyuz . . . and Salyut. The Cosmos satellites have tested many systems, units and assemblies of lunar and interplanetary automatic apparatuses. ... the thermoregulating system assemblies, the solar batteries, means of communication, and many scientific instruments for the Luna, Venera, Zond, and Mars apparatuses were created on the basis of or having regard to experience gained in the operation of similar installations in Cosmos satellites." (FBIS-Sov, 3/30/72, Li)
European Launcher Development Organization (ELDo) Council announced decision to begin development of Europa III launch vehicle Oct. 1, subject to approval by European Space Conference meeting in Brussels in October. (SF, 7/72, 241)
Sprint antiballistic missile launched by Dept. of Defense from Kwajalein Atoll and guided by missile site radar on Meek Island successfully intercepted Minuteman warhead over Pacific. Test was 24th in series to check out Safeguard antiballistic missile components. (UPI, NYT, 3/19/72, 15)
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