June 1972
From The Space Library
Discovery of new energy source from data returned by Office of Naval Research's ONR-001 ionospheric research experiment launched on Air Force Sesp 1971-2 satellite Oct. 17, 1971, was announced by ONR. Experiment's low-energy energetic- ion spectrometer had observed intense fluxes of heavy ions precipitating into atmosphere at low-altitude edge of auroral zone during Dec. 17, 1971, magnetic storm. Fluxes were observed over entire energy rate of spectrometer on 24 satellite passes in two days. New source could aid understanding of Van Allen Belts and ionospheric processes affecting radio and radar propagation. (Naval Research Reviews, 6-7/72, 32-33)
Astronautics & Aeronautics editorial by Courtland D. Perkins, Chairman of Princeton Univ. Dept. of Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences, urged support of space shuttle program because it was "natural development of the NASA mission to advance space technology," which "takes advantage of the high competence in technical and operational management of large space-oriented systems now fully developed within NASA." Program provided launch capability for nearly all manned and unmanned space programs, would eliminate "patchwork, disparate stable of boosters and facilities," and was "one of only a few national programs that will continue growth in the various fields of high technology." (A&A, 6/72, 20-1)
Air Force and Dept. of Defense viewed space not as a mission but as a place that offers more effective ways of accomplishing certain defense missions," Grant L. Hansen, Assistant Secretary of Defense for R&D, said in published interview. There was no "space program in the sense of NASA" within DOD. During first phase of space exploration and use for national defense, Air Force has been assigned role as DOD's executive agency for military space efforts, from operation of Joint DOD and Atomic Energy Commission Vela space surveillance system to launches of payloads for other military services. New instructions from Dr. John S. Foster, DOD Director of Defense Research and Engineering, in 1971 had encouraged all military services to "look for ways of using space systems to perform their jobs better and cheaper." Air Force would continue launches but "will no longer operate space systems of other services, nor will there be the requirement to develop their systems for them. The cooperation among the services on space matters is excellent, and, I believe, this change, which recognizes that space as a military medium has reached maturity, benefits everybody." (AF Mag, 6/72, 35-40)
National Science Foundation released Federal Funds for Research, Development, and Other Scientific Activities, Fiscal Years 1970, 1971, 1972 (NSF 71-35). Federal obligations for research and development (R&D) in 1970 totaled $15.3 billion excluding plant; slight rise to $15.4 billion was expected for 1971. Figure was decrease of 5% in constant dollars. Basic research obligations were expected to rise from $2.1 billion in 1970 to $2.2 billion for 1971 and $2.4 billion for 1972. Federal support for basic research declined in 1970 but was expected to reach new record highs for 1971 and 1972. Bulk of Federal basic research, 81%, was funded by NASA; Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare; National Science Foundation; Atomic Energy Commission; and Dept. of Defense. NASA had led in basic research support since 1961, with 29% of total in 1971. Applied research obligations totaled $3.5 billion in 1970 and were expected to rise to $3.8 billion for 1971, increase of 8%. Total was expected to reach $4.2 billion in 1972-all-time high in current dollars. DOD, HEW, and NASA continued to dominate Federal applied research effort and would account for 78% in 1971. Obligations for development totaled $9.7 billion in 1970 and would decline 3%, to $9.4 billion, in 1971. In 1972, Federal development total was scheduled to rise to $10.0 billion, or 1966 level. DOD, NASA, and AEC were most prominent in Federal development effort in 1960-1972, accounting for 92% in 1971. DOD funded 63%; NASA share had declined since 1965 to expected 19% for 1971. Although total Federal R&D obligations were expected to increase 9% from 1970 to 1972, NASA and AEC decrease continued. NASA estimate for 1972, however, was smallest reduction since downward trend began in 1967. Report noted increases in key programs-Skylab, space shuttle, Viking Mars explorations, and unmanned missions to outer planets-had almost offset decreases in Apollo program. (Text)
Tenth NASA Summer Seminar on History and Space began, with three history professors and four graduate students participating. Each participant would prepare a historical report. (NASA Hist Off)
NASA released Physics of the Solar System (NASA SP-300), edited by Dr. S. Ichtiaque Rasool of Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Book was based on lectures given at Fourth Summer Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at Stony Brook, N.Y., June 17-July 15, 1970. It covered broad range of topics in solar physics, planetary structure and atmospheres, and origin and evolution of solar system. (Text)
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