May 16 1967
From The Space Library
House Committee on Science and Astronautics voted to report $4.9 billion NASA authorization bill (H.R. 10340) -$107.8 million less than $5.1 billion NASA had requested for FY 1968. Committee reductions included $46.8 million from manned space flight; $35.3 million from space science and applications; and $25.6 million from advanced research and technology. Report was filed with the House June 6. (O'Toole, W Post, 5/17/67, A1, A6; Hines, W Star, 5/17/67, A9; Av Wk, 5/22/67,24)
Sen. Stephen M. Young (D-Ohio) , speaking on the Senate floor, urged US. and U.S.S.R. to cooperate in the exploration of outer space. "Let us proceed to inquire together seeking to effect a treaty with officials of the Soviet Union for the joint exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes, including efforts for a joint lunar landing, sharing the cost on a 50-50 basis. The tremendous expense would be shared equally by our two great nations. Also, if we were no longer engaged in a race with the Soviet Union for space achievements, the likelihood of tragedies resulting from too much haste-such as both nations have recently witnessed-would be greatly diminished. "This would save the taxpayers of our country at least $1 billion next year and billions of dollars in future years. Even more important, it would be a great advance toward permanent peace in the world." (CR, 5/16/17, S6903)
Twenty-sixth meeting of Interim Communications Satellite Committee (KSC) -17-member governing body of International Telecommunications satellite consortium (INTELSAT) -accepted invitation of Japan to meet in Tokyo, May 18-23. ComSatCorp, representing U.S. in INTELSAT and acting as its manager, announced that international participation had expanded from 13 countries in 1964 (when interim agreements were opened for signature) to 56 countries that now account for more than 95% of world's commercial communications. Tokyo meeting would be first to be held in Asia, and was second time KSC had convened away from headquarters offices in Washington, D.C., Paris having been site of meeting in July 1965. ComSatCorp announcement summarized commercial satellite communications in operation around the world: EARLY BIRD 1 (INTELSAT I series) launched April 6, 1965, and Atlantic II (INTELSAT II series) launched March 22, 1967, linking North America and Europe; and Lani Bird II (INTELSAT II series) launched Jan. 11, 1967, linking US. and Hawaii, Japan, and Australia. Fabrication had been started in 1966 on advanced satellites in INTEISAT m series that would have five times the communications capability of EARLY BIRD 1. ComSatCorp reported that these latest satellites would be launched beginning in 1968 to expand communications system to global capability. As to ground facilities, 14 earth stations were now operating in countries with more than 40 planned for by the end of 1969. (ComSatCorp Release)
SST program recommended by the Johnson Administration could seriously weaken the Nation's balance of payments, Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) concluded in report prepared for and released by FAA. Report said gains from foreign sales of SST would be more than offset by a large increase in US. tourist spending abroad as well as by a reduction in sales of subsonic U.S. aircraft. IDA study was one of four reports commissioned by FAA for $633,000 but withheld pending President Johnson's decision to proceed with Phase III (prototype construction) of SST program [see April 29]. New York Times later commented: The very fact that there can be no certainty about the sales prospects for the SST or its impact on the balance of payments argues for a deliberate and conservative approach in financing it. Statements based on hope and super salesmanship are considerably less convincing than the hard facts of supersonic economics. The SST is supposed to be a commercial venture. It should meet commercial standards of investment." (Lardner, W Post, 5/17/67, C1; NYT, 5/21/67, E12)
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