Aug 29 1967
From The Space Library
Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R-Me.) expressed concern on Senate floor that the Nation's space program suffered from a "serious lack of centralized leadership within the administration. Leadership is needed to weigh and decide on the merits of proposed space projects; to coordinate program requirements and development efforts of civil and defense agencies; and to establish long-range national space goals and to seek the resources necessary to achieve them. "I believe that this failure to assert administrative responsibility has resulted in the costly and needless development of two families of launch vehicles-one for NASA and one for the Department of Defense. Currently, NASA and the Department of Defense are each separately undertaking manned space programs having similar, if not identical, basic objectives-to determine whether man can effectively operate in space. . . ." Criticizing President Johnson's support of NASA FY 1968 budget cuts recommended by House Appropriations Committee [see Aug. 21], Sen. Smith said: "I am mindful that some significant budgetary decisions must be made because of our commitments in Vietnam and social strife at home. But is the Congress to supply the initial decision-making power for the executive branch? Is so little consideration and concern given to determining the required resource level for space technology programs that across-the-board reduction recommended by a legislative committee can be accepted so lightly? There are many of us who feel that science and technology may well be the key to our future existence-to the very survival of freedom in the world of tomorrow. In the past, I believe that the administration also held this to be true. However, the present lack of responsible action in regard to our space program leads me to wonder whether the administration plans and manages the future course for our country with any foresight or merely reacts to events with fear and trepidation." (CR, 8/29/67, S12399)
NASA Deputy Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., reporting on gravity of budget situation in the light of pending congressional action, said that study of program alternatives would continue while hiring of additional personnel would be suspended. He gave elements of NASA Hq. guidance on restricting activities, to provide maximum flexibility for future decisions when budget and expenditure limits were clarified. (Text)
A 180-man crew working a 10-hr day six days a week had completed 14-week construction job of 15-building installation in the Australian desert, which would be used to intercept information transmitted by Soviet reconnaissance satellites [see Aug. 12]. (AP, NYT, 8/29/67,2.4)
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