Jan 24 1972

From The Space Library

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Current revision

President Nixon in message transmitting FY 1973 budget to Congress said: "We have been reordering our research and development investments in defense and space. We have reassessed the space program and placed it on a firm future footing with increased attention to practical and economical applications of space and reductions in the cost of manned space flight. " we have strengthened our defense research and development capability to insure that the country will not face the possibility of technological surprise or lack of the deterrent power necessary to protect our national security." Therefore budget authority requested for Dept. of Defense research, development, technology, and engineering (RDT&E) was at all-time high. President proposed measures "to emphasize this Administration's strong belief that science and technology can make significant contributions to the quality of American life and to economic growth"; to encourage private investment in R&D, including investment by small firms with innovative ideas; to use NASA and Atomic Energy Commission talents on clean, economical energy and safe, fast transportation-"this year we shall have the agency which sent men to the moon and back begin to assist the Department of Transportation in finding better ways to send people downtown and back"-and to review economic policies which might restrict utilization and development of technical advances. President also said human resources spending would be 45% of FY 1973 budget, while defense programs would total 32%. Outlays requested for major environmental programs in 1973 were $2.5 billion, "more than three times the 1969 level." (PD, 1/31/72, 104- 17)

President Nixon sent $246.3-billion FY 1973 budget request to Congress-increase of $9.6 billion over FY 1972. National total included research and development budget of $17.8 billion (increase of $1.4 billion), with $3.740 billion requested for civilian and military space R&D. Total request for NASA new obligational authority (NOA) of $3.379 billion (1.3% of total U.S. budget) was $83 million more than FY 1972 NOA of $3.296 billion. NASA expenditures were budgeted to increase by $11 million, against decline of $200.9 million in FY 1972. Increase to $3.192 billion reflected funds for design and development of space shuttle engine and airframe. Of budget request, $2.6 billion would go for R&D, $77.3 million for construction of facilities, and $701 million for research and program management. Apollo funding decrease of $472.5 million, to $128.7 million, reflected completion of Apollo program with Apollo 16 and 17 scheduled for launch during calendar year. Manned space flight operations-including $540.5 million for Skylab, $200 million for space shuttle, and $23 million for orbital systems and experiments- would increase from $682.8 million in FY 1972 to $1.094 billion in FY 1973. Space life sciences would receive $25.5 million and development, test, and mission operations would receive $305.2 million, including funds for detailed design and development of shuttle airframe and engine. Advanced missions would receive $1.5 million, to bring total for manned space flight (including Apollo) to $1.224 billion, down $61 million from FY 1972. Funding for NASA space science and applications programs would increase $123.7 million, from $740.4 million in FY 1972 to $864.1 million in FY 1973. Increases would go to physics and astronomy program for High Energy Astronomy Observatory ($59.6 million in FY 1973) and orbiting explorers ($32 million) ; to lunar and planetary exploration (up $29.7 million, to $321.2 million, with $229.5 million for Viking project, $31.6 million for Mariner- Venus/Mercury 1973, and $18.7 million for supporting research and technology advanced studies) ; and to launch vehicle procurement. Funding for Pioneer planetary exploration program would decrease from $12.8 million in FY 1972 to $10.2 million. Increase of $7.2 million in applications programs, to $194.7 million in FY 1973, included $48.4 million for earth resources survey, $61.2 million for ATS, and $28.3 million for Nimbus. Total requested for NASA aeronautics and space technology programs increased from $212.8 million in FY 1972 to $249.3 million. Aeronautical research and technology funding would increase from $110 million in FY 1972 to $163.4 million, including $27.5 million for quiet, experimental, short takeoff and landing (QUESTOL) aircraft and $3 million for vertical takeoff and landing (VToL) research/ experimental vehicle programs. Nuclear engine for rocket vehicle application (NERVA) development was terminated in favor of reoriented program to define smaller nuclear rocket system. Tracking and data acquisition funding would fall $4.9 million, to $259.1 million. Dept. of Defense FY 1973 budget of $83.5 billion was all-time high, $6.3 billion above FY 1972 budget authority, 30% of total Federal outlays for FY 1972, and 6.4% of Gross National Product- but percentage of GNP had dropped from FY 1972's 7%. DOD total included $8.6 billion for research, development, technology, and engineering, $1.1 billion increase over FY 1972. Of requested RDT&E total, military astronautics-with major programs including military comsats, first spaceborne ballistic missile early warning system, continued flight experiment programs, and applied research and technology programs-would receive $454 million (up $49.4 million). Military sciences would receive $572.7 million (up $34.9 million). Aircraft RDT&E would receive $1.948 billion (down $36.8 million) and missiles RDT&E $2.383 billion (up $437.8 million). Major DOD increases were programmed for undersea long-range missile system (ULMS) to supplement and eventually replace Poseidon- Polaris fleet ($942.2 million, up $802 million), B-1 advanced strategic bomber ($444 million, up $74 million), F-15 air superiority fighter ($910 million, up $490 million), airborne defense warning and control system (AWACS) ($470 million, up $331 million), and Safeguard antiballistic missile program ($1.483 billion, up $366 million). Some $299 million was requested for advance procurement of components for new nuclear-powered CVAN-70 aircraft carrier. Increases were also programmed for prototype development of vertical or short takeoff and landing aircraft for Navy, STOL transports for possible C-130 replacement, Air Force SCAD strategic bomber penetration decoy, and engines for future transport and fighter aircraft. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration FY 1973 budget included $39.9 million for meteorological satellite operations, $6.8 million more than FY 1971 allocation of $33.1 million. Funding would complete financing of fourth satellite in ITOS series, continue financing of fifth and sixth ITOS satellites and one Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), and initiate procurement of seventh ITOS. Dept. of Transportation budget request of $8.56 billion was decrease of $91.5 million over FY 1972. DOT funding would start 10-yr, $10-billion program to improve urban mass transportation and reduce highway congestion. Federal Aviation Administration would continue efforts to reduce aircraft noise, ensure that advanced aircraft engines did not adversely affect atmosphere, and design safer and more productive airport system. Atomic Energy Commission FY 1973 budget request of $2.56 billion, up $247 million over FY 1972, would be used for development of liquid- metal fast-breeder power reactor and for controlled thermonuclear fusion research. National Science Foundation FY 1973 budget request of $653 million would cover basic scientific research, experimental program to test incentives to stimulate non-Federal R&D investment, program to analyze effect of R&D on national economy, continuation of research applied to national needs in advanced technology and environmental problems, program to improve research management at institutions of higher learning, and funding for astronomy to permit development of very large array of antennas for radio astronomy. (OMB, Budget of US Govt, FY 1973; OMB, US Budget in Brief; OMB, Special Analysis; NASA budget briefing transcript; DOD budget briefing transcript; DOT budget briefing transcript; AIAA Release 72-3; NSF Release 72-106; Kelly, W Star, 1/24/72, A14; Av Wk, 2/14/72, 14)

NASA released briefing (held Jan. 22) on FY 1973 budget request in which Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said budget would "enable the United States space program to move forward on all fronts, on a basis consistent with realistic budgetary constraints both now and in the future." Budget "fully supports President Nixon's decision to proceed with development of the space shuttle, ... achieves this and other basic objectives in science, in applications, and in aeronautics within a fiscal '73 budget approximately equal to that of last year," and "provides programs to do the kind of work this agency should be doing." In past NASA had presented programs that required relatively modest outlays in first year and subsequent substantial increases. In FY 1973 budget, "We have a well-balanced program that can be supported at an essentially constant budget level over the next several years." "Most important aspects" of NASA's FY 1973 program were: "The decision to proceed with the space shuttle; a strong effort in space science and applications; a major increase in aeronautics; a change of scope in the outer planet exploration program; and a reorientation of our nuclear rocket program." Significant changes from FY 1972 plans were in Grand Tour and nuclear engine for rocket vehicle application (NERVA) programs. Grand Tour of outer planets would be replaced with less complex missions to Jupiter and perhaps Saturn. In place of NERVA, NASA would concentrate on defining small, high-energy nuclear propulsion system for missions to explore planets. During 1973 and beyond, "NASA will put even greater emphasis on turning the knowledge and technology acquired through space research to the immediate and lasting benefits of mankind. The recent establishment of the Office of Applications was an important step in that direction. "In aeronautics we will increase our efforts by 50 percent this year, directed mainly at the pressing domestic needs for quiet engines and quiet short-haul air transportation systems." Dr. FIetcher said NASA FY 1973 budget "maintains our manned space flight capability, contributes to national security, increases the opportunity for acquiring new scientific knowledge, encourages inter-national cooperation, addresses the problems of society and the environment, and helps to assure continued American leadership in aeronautics." Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, discussed space shuttle funding: "The shuttle, as we now visualize it"-if it had pressure-fed boosters and 4.6- by 18.3-m (15- by 60-ft), 30000-kg (65 000-lb) capacity-"will cost $5.5 billion to develop. This includes two flight vehicles." Funding would "spread over more than 6 years, but the bulk of the funding will be expended over a six- year time period. In addition . . there will be an investment in facilities of about $300 million. And if more orbiters and boosters are needed for flight applications, these will cost $250 and $50 million apiece. Our current estimates for the cost per flight are $7.7 million. This is less than most of the launch vehicles we're using today." (Transcript)

Federal Communications Commission had been asked to decide on feasibility of U.S. Postal Service using satellites to transmit facsimile mail for business items, Newsweek reported. (Newsweek, 1/24/72)

January 24-25: Federal Aviation Administration held international symposium in Washington, D.C., on area navigation. Talks covered operational experiences of airlines, military, and general aviation; capabilities of specialized area navigation equipment; and R&D for future area navigation application. Apollo 9 Astronaut James A. McDivitt, Apollo Program Manager, addressed symposium banquet. (FAA Release 72-02; FAA PIO)

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