February 1971

From The Space Library

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Current revision

Opportunity for participating in post-Apollo program had resulted in deep division of opinion among European countries, Dr. Peter Stubbs reported in Technology Review: "... never has so much furore been generated on the basis of so little hard fact. But politics have taken over the scene to the almost entire exclusion of rational procedures." France and West Germany had not forgiven U.K. for "welching on them over the - by U.S. standards archaic! - Europa launcher." There was fear that without independent launch vehicle for commercial satellites, Europe could not compete on fair terms with U.S. "Beneath the European tussle of threat and counterthreat , . . run deeper waters: France's desire for her own telecommunications satellite system to propagandize former African colonies; West Germany's urge to become a fully fledged space power; the British Government's intense anxiety to enter the Common Market-even possibly, in part, by blackmailing its way in over the space program." ESRO had built competency "which should not be allowed to go by the board simply because a bunch of politicians can't decide to what proper purpose it should be put." (Tech Rev, 2/71, 14)

Future of U.S. space program was subject of articles in America Illustrated, USIA publication distributed in U.S.S.R. Jay Holmes described plans for next two decades in space including planetary exploration and Grand Tours of outer space, practical applications of space technology, and international cooperation in space. Technical advancements directly traceable to U.S. space program were described by James J. Haggerty, who forecast additional space benefits in future. Reusable space shuttle and earth-orbiting stations, continued lunar exploration, and manned voyages to Mars were discussed in article on earth, moon, and Mars. (Am 111, 2/71)

U.S.S.R. issued 1971-1975 five-year plan with new emphasis on practical benefits from space. Main attention was focused on spaceborne communications, meteorology, earth-resources survey, geographical research, and solution of other economic tasks. (AF Mag, 6/71, 54-9)

NSF issued Scientific Activities of Independent Nonprofit Institutions 1970 (NSF 71-9)

Independent nonprofit institutions employed 23 700 scientists and engineers in January 1970, down from 25 600 employed in 1967. Decrease resulted from shift of several large research institutes from nonprofit sector to other sectors of economy and from slackened rate of increase in R&D activities by nonprofit institutions during 1966-1969. Life scientists composed largest occupational group- 33 1/3% of total. Engineers followed with 22%. R&D expenditures amounted to $845 million in 1969, actual increase of 6%, but in terms of constant dollars only 1.3% over 1966 total. Research institutes and nonprofit- administered Federally funded R&D centers together accounted for more than 66 2/3% of scientists and engineers and about 75% of intramural R&D expenditures. (Text)

NSF released Federal Funds for Academic Science, Fiscal Year 1969 (NSF 71-7)

Ten Federal agencies reported total $2.314 million for academic science activities during FY 1969-same level of funding reported for FY 1968. HEW was primary source, accounting for $1.245 million, or more than 50%, of all obligations from Federal Government, NSF was second with $362 million, DOD was third with $272 million. Dept. of Agriculture accounted for $155 million, NASA for $125 million, and AEC for $121 million. (Text)

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