Dec 17 1968
From The Space Library
In interview published in New York Times, Dr. Lee A. Du-Bridge, science adviser-designate to President-elect Richard M. Nixon, said problem facing Government was not "Shall Government support and use science and technology, but how shall it do it. What are the priorities. . . ." Fundamental to use of science was knowledge; therefore, "one must have in any modern society a very important and extensive free basic research enterprise establishment, largely in universities, so that new areas of knowledge will be explored." Basic research budget of country should increase at least 10% annually for next few years. When it came to using this knowledge, "the Government can, and somebody must, direct, set up the goals." On space program, Dr. DuBridge said that "the astonishing discoveries" made by launching instruments into space justified further exploration from scientific point of view. When man entered picture as "another piece of the instrumentation that is needed for the exploration," first effect "is that the costs get large. . . . Apollo landing of a man on the moon is vastly more expensive .. . than the Surveyor landing. . . . By the same token, the information returned will be much greater, too. However, as the technology of the spacecraft improves, and our instruments need to get more complex, heavier, or longer lasting, there may very well be a time when putting a man up will actually be cheaper than trying to use automated instruments." (Sullivan, NYT, 12/17/68, 1) .
At Wright Brothers Memorial Dinner, Washington, D.C. sponsored by NAA, Sen. Warren G. Magnuson (D-Wash.) received D.C., Brothers Memorial Trophy for "assuring United States preeminence in aeronautics throughout the world." (NAA PAO)
At Washington, D.C., ceremony, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations, USN, presented Distinguished Service Medal to Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (Capt. USN), for space deeds "exceeded by no one afloat or airborne." (AP, W Star, 12/18/68, B2; W Post, 12/18/68, A3)
Dr. Philip Handler, National Science Board Chairman and only nominee to succeed Dr. Frederick Seitz as NAS president in July 1969, said in interview he would urge Federal program of "bloc grants" to U.S. universities in 1969 to support science. Legislation would be introduced in new Congress, with "something like" $500-million price tag in first year, "just for starters." Universities, "completely dependent upon science project grants," had had funds for individual projects cut off leaving "numerous employees for whom they have no salaries." (Cohn, W Post, 12/18/68, A32)
DOD announced USN had selected Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. and McDonnell Douglas Corp. to continue to contract definition phase for F-14A aircraft, formerly called VFX-1. Selection of contractor was scheduled for January 1969. (DOD Release 1109-68; WSJ, 12/18/68; UPI, W Star, 12/18/68, A6)
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