Aug 16 1974
From The Space Library
The Senate passed, by a unanimous vote of 60, H.R. 15572, the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development-Space-Science-Veterans FY 1975 appropriations bill. The bill was passed as reported out by the Senate Committee on Appropriations 15 Aug. plus an amendment to permit NASA to transfer up to 0.5% of its funds between research and development and research and program management programs. The bill appropriated $3.207 billion to NASA, $36 million below the FY 1975 budget request and $60.2 million below the FY 1975 authorization signed 22 June. An additional $4.435 million was appropriated in a Special Energy Bill.
NASA R&D funds totaled $2.327 billion, construction of facilities $140.2 million, and R&PM $740 million. The Senate approved all budgeted R&D items, including $6.2 million for the Large Space Telescope and $8.0 million for SEASAT, both of which had been cut from the House appropriation 26 June. A reduction of $15 million from R&D funds was not directed to any specific program because the Committee suggested that NASA was better able to apply this reduction with a minimum disruption in its priorities. Agreeing with the House, the Committee had urged NASA to reprogram funds to begin work on ERTS-C and said that further reprogramming of funds for Viking would be considered only with the greatest reluctance.
Funds for construction of facilities were up $4.5 million from the House appropriation and down $4.3 million from the authorization. The $740 million for R&PM equaled the House appropriation and was down $9.6 million from the authorization.
H.R. 15572 had been reported out of the Senate Committee on Appropriations for a first time 1 Aug. with a total NASA appropriation of $3.243 billion. It was returned to the Committee 5 Aug. by the full Senate for additional cuts.
The Senate requested a conference with the House to resolve differences in the passed versions. (Sen Com Rpts 93-1056, 93-1091; CR, 5 Aug 74, S14313 40; 16 Aug. 74, S15161-5)
Static test firings of a 6.4%-scale model of the space shuttle to gather acoustical data for design and development activities began at Marshall Space Flight Center. A series of 24 acoustic test firings would continue through November, with 7 additional tests later to study possible sound: suppression methods.
The test model's two solid-propellant engines, representing the shuttle vehicle's solid-fueled-rocket boosters, were being tested first, to be followed by full system firings, including the three model liquid-propellant engines representing the main engines, which would use liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. On each firing, 60 acoustic measurements were taken by specialized microphones to monitor areas potentially sensitive to high sound-pressure levels: vehicle skin panels, thermal protection devices, electronic guidance components, and ground support and related structures. (MSFC Release 74-154; MSFC Pm, interview, 15 July 75)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, announced that Mrs. Ruth Bates Harris, who had been dismissed as NASA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Equal Opportunity 26 Oct. 1973, had accepted an appointment as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs for Community and Human Relations effective 19 Aug. In a memorandum to NASA employees, Dr. Fletcher stated that he was firmly convinced of Mrs. Harris's "pride in NASA's program accomplishments in aeronautics and space, her belief that they are relevant to all Americans, and her enthusiasm in conveying this pride and conviction to others." Mrs. Harris would serve as the point of contact between NASA and community groups and between NASA and state and local governments. (NASA Release 74-223; Fletcher memo, 16 Aug 74)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, presented awards at an Ames Research Center ceremony to 50 members of the Pioneer 10 team for their contributions to the 3 Dec. 1973 flyby of Jupiter. Charles F. Hall, Manager of the Pioneer Project at ARC, received NASA's Distinguished Service Medal for his "outstanding leadership and dedicated performance."
At another awards ceremony, Dr. Fletcher presented 28 NASA awards to personnel of Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other organizations for contributions to the Mariner 10 flyby of Venus (5 Feb. 1974) and Mercury (29 March 1974) . Project Manager Walker E. Giberson received the Distinguished Service Medal for "distinguished leadership in the conception, organization, and management" of the mission. (ARC Release 74 35; ARC PIO, interview, 18 July 75; JPL Release 711)
The Navy awarded $1.3-billion contract to Lockheed Aircraft Corp. for the initial production of the submarine-launched Trident I missile and the development of a maneuverable nuclear warhead. The warhead, called the Mark 500, would not be limited to targets on a missile's orbital trajectory and it would be able to evade enemy defensive missiles. (Reuters, W Post, 17 Aug 74, A5; WSJ, 19 Aug. 74, 5)
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