Mar 13 1974
From The Space Library
The Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences re-ported out H.R. 11864, Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974. The Committee amended the bill, which had been passed by the House 13 Feb., to delineate agency responsibility more specifically. NASA would have responsibility for the necessary system research, development, hardware procurement, and delivery. The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development would develop dwelling and system performance criteria, construct the dwellings, and install the solar heating and cooling systems. Transfer of responsibility to the Energy Research and Development Administration, should it be established, was authorized but not mandatory. (S Rpt 93-734)
The Senate passed H.R. 11793, a bill to establish the Federal Energy Administration, after amendment to substitute the language of the Senate-passed S. 2776. The Senate appointed conferees to settle differences from the version passed by the House '7 March. (CR, 13 March 74, 53706)
NASA Associate Administrator for Applications Charles W. Mathews testified on applications programs before the Senate Committee on Aeronautics and Space Sciences during NASA FY 1975 authorization hearings. In NASA'S weather and climate program, satellites were providing increasingly valuable information for short-range forecasting: day and night cloud-cover images around the globe, temperature profiles (although still cloud-limited) and surface temperature maps, gross moisture profiles, and sea ice mapping. NASA had begun microwave sounding experiments to overcome the cloud problem. Still needed were improved sounding accuracy and coverage, refined moisture profiles, and simpler and less expensive random-access data-collection systems.
For one- to two-week prediction, space capabilities were contributing to progress but lacked complete coverage of critical wind and temperature areas around the globe. New measurement approaches and improved cloud tracking were planned. For severe storm and disaster warnings-which contained "the greatest potential payoff"-a long-term effort was studying advances in computer technology and display devices to assimilate and convey the mass of data produced. NASA had begun to develop primitive climate models for farmers that would have "high utility value to the agriculture section of our economy." Remote sensing from space and research in a laboratory carried on the space shuttle could give data on weather modification possibilities and results. (Transcript)
Johnson Space Center and the Mexican National Commission for Outer Space had begun a remote-sensing test project to assist in eradicating the screwworm from Mexico, NASA announced. The experimental phase was under way and was expected to continue for a year. Sensor data provided by ERTS 1 Earth Resources Technology Satellite (launched 23 July 1972) and orbiting meteorological satellites including Noaa 2 and 3 (launched 15 Oct. 1972 and 6 Nov. 1973) would be combined with data from a Mexican remote-sensing aircraft on soil temperature, moisture, and vegetation-all of which affected breeding patterns of the screwworm fly. Sterile flies could then be distributed to potential breeding grounds of the fly, which frequently caused $200 million annual losses to cattle, poultry, and wildlife. (NASA Release 74-60)
Sen. Frank E. Moss (D-Utah) and Sen. Barry M. Goldwater (R-Ariz.) introduced S. 3175 to amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to authorize NASA to contract for tracking and data reply satellite services. (CR, 13 March 74, S3548; NASA LAR, VIII [XIII]/30)
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