July 1969
From The Space Library
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NASA-appointed Astronomy Missions Board recommended long-range program in space astronomy to NASA. Board of 19 leading U.S. astronomers chaired by Dr. Leo Goldberg, Harvard College Observatory Director had been appointed in 1967 to propose programs for 1970s. NASA published Board's report in November [see Nov. 9]. (Text; NASA Release 69-149; NASA OSSA)
Data were relayed by two Vela nuclear detection satellites launched May 23 that led to discovery of x-ray star between constellations Centaurus and Lupus [see Aug. 14]. (Sullivan, NYT, 8/14/69, 7)
NAS published Physics of the Earth in Space: The Role of Ground-Based Research, report of study by Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Research of Geophysics Research Board of NRC. Among recommendations were new facility to exploit incoherent-scatter techniques for investigation of ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics, program of controlled sounding of magnetosphere based on new VLF transmitter facility near 60° invariant latitude in Antarctic, and relocation of Stanford Research Institute's incoherent-scatter facility at Palo Alto, Calif., to auroral zone at College, Alaska, to measure F-region electron density and temperature and ion temperature. Report advocated increased support for specific solar radioastronomy techniques, improvements in balloon technology, and acquisition of ground-based geophysical data via satellite links, possibly using comsat channel. (Text)
NAS report to Congress, Technology: Processes of Assessment and Choice, was published by House Committee on Science and Astronautics. Panel headed by Harvey Brooks of Harvard Univ. strongly urged creation of "constellation of organizations, with components located strategically within both political branches, that can create a focus and a forum for responsible technology-assessment activities throughout government and the private sector. Such organizations "must be separated scrupulously from any responsibility for promoting or regulating technological applications." (Text)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics published A Study of Technology Assessment: Report of the Committee on Public Engineering Policy, National Academy of Engineering. Report recommended establishment of technology assessment task force of members of public and private organizations with knowledge of subject under assessment, including behavioral and political scientists. (Text)
NSF published Research and Development in Industry, 1967: Funds, 1967; Scientists and Engineers, January 1968 (NSF 69-28) : Historically, about 70% of U.S. R&D had been performed by industrial sector. In 1967, industry spent $16.4 billion for R&D, four and half times 1953 level of $3.6 billion. Federal agencies financed 51% of 1967 total, or $8.4 billion. Ratio was down from 1959 high of 59%. NASA and DOD furnished 89% of Federal funds to industry in 1967 and supported 89% of 158,000 R&D scientists and engineers working on Federal programs in January 1968. NASA's R&D cost was $55,400 per scientist or engineer, while DOD spent $51,600. Industry spent $8 billion of its own funds for R&D in 1967, 11% more than in 1966 and 265% more than in 1953. In January 1968, 387,900 full-time-equivalent R&D scientists and engineers were in industry sector, of which 59% worked on company-financed R&D projects. Industrial spending for basic research reached $655 million in 1967, 5% higher than previous year and more than four times 1953 level. (Text)
MOL cancellation "should at most be a 'postponement', Dr. Edward C. Welsh, former NASC Executive Secretary, said in Air Force/Space Digest. "Contrary to assertions made by people who should know better, the MOL was not planned as a weapon system and would not have been a threat to any other nation." MOL observations would be "as peaceful as those, obtained on the NASA Gemini and Apollo flight. Men on board the spacecraft can be justified by the contributions men make in matters of choice of observations, maintenance, and communication with earth." MOL would not duplicate NASA's Apollo Applications program "To try to combine the Air Force and NASA manned programs would waste much of the investments already made, would delay both programs, would increase the total cost over the long run, and would violate the sound administrative principle of having the experts do what they have been trained to do. Failure to get a maximum return from this national-security system would seem to be woefully shortsighted and wasteful." (AF/SD, 7/69, 60-1)
American Embassy science attache in New Delhi reported completion of India-US. project to erect 48-in telescope at Hyderabad. Project was started in 1955 and completed just before U.S. lunar landing. (O'Neill, W Post, 8/31/69, D5)
- June 1969
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