December 1968

From The Space Library

NASA issued Objectives and Goals in Space Science and Applications-1968. NASA Office of Space Science and Applications had participated in 1968 agency-wide planning to detail program objectives and options from which program could be built. Many tools required for future space program had already been developed and many future ventures would require only modest improvements. Spacecraft pointing accuracies and stability would improve, and their lifetimes would increase. More powerful transmitters would communicate data across ever-widening expanses. Spacecraft weight would increase and man would have increasing capability to work and navigate in space. Advances in chemical propulsion, introduction of nuclear and electric propulsion, and new combinations of existing stages, would permit growth of launch vehicle capability to meet mission demands. FY 1969 support of program recognized need for austerity and pro­vided for continuance of existing programs at economical level and initiation of only "projects of great merit, including those where a unique opportunity might be lost." Future emphasis would be on applications of space and space technology for benefit of man: sur­veying earth's resources, TV broadcast from space, and weather fore­casting. Knowledge of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and other outer planets would be expanded. Introduction of larger, more accurate telescopes would provide man perhaps with "his greatest step in understanding the nature of his universe." (Text)

Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences issued Tenth An­niversary, 1958-1968 to meet requests for information concerning its historical background, activities, jurisdiction and procedures, legis­lative record, membership, and staff assistance. Report contained National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended, related legislation-including NASA's funding history-and Communications Satellite Act of 1962. (Text)

Global military expenditures ranked first in world public expenditures. They had risen from $132 billion to 1964 to $138 billion in 1965, $159 billion in 1966, and estimated $182 billion in 1967-record high level. Preliminary data, said U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency Report, World Military Expenditures 1966-67, said current military spending exceeded by 40% world's expenditures on education by all levels of government and was more than three times worldwide public health expenditure. (Text; Shackford, W Post, 1/24/69, A21)

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• 1969