October 1967
From The Space Library
JPL Director Dr. William H. Pickering stressed importance of unmanned space exploration in Astronautics and Aeronautics: "During the past decade of space exploration, unmanned spacecraft have demonstrated a remarkable versatility in performing a wide variety of scientific tasks. The success of these robots is due largely to the ingenuity of the designers in building complex but reliable automated devices, capable of withstanding the constraints imposed by the hostile spaceflight environment. "It is clearly evident that many difficult engineering and scientific problems remain to be solved. The experience of the past decade demonstrates, however, that within the next decade unmanned spacecraft can initiate a detailed surface exploration of our neighboring planets. The unmanned exploration of the solar system is technically and scientifically possible. It presents a unique opportunity to step boldly forward into new areas of both technology and science." (Pickering, A&A, 10/67,804)
Congressional role in space program and possibilities for improved international cooperation in space was discussed in General Electric Forum interview by Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) , Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Manned Space Flight Subcommittee. Congress' role, Rep. Teague said, was "to examine periodically how well the work is being done and what return we are gaining in new knowledge and practical utility from the space program. . . . Each decision . . . involves the setting of a relative order of priorities for the use of the Nation's resources for science and technology." Expressing conviction that international cooperation in space would increase, he noted that there was "great potential in the use of space for human betterment. . . . More than 60 per cent of the world's people, for instance, are protein-deficient today. If, by earth orbital surveys, in cooperation with the less-developed countries, we can improve that situation, our entire space program will have paid for itself many times over." (GE Forum, Autumn 66 1967, X/3, 11-12; CRY 10/19/67, H13719-20)
Rep. Joseph E. Karth (D-Minn.) , Chairman, House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Space Science and Applications Subcommittee, called for "developing a greater public awareness of the benefits of the total space program and . . . driving home the point of how close we are to realizing magnificent achievements in bettering our lives." Writing in Astronautics and Aeronautics he said the space program "is no longer insulated from the tough competitive struggle for resources. . . . More bluntly, the NASA part of the national space program no longer has a very high priority." He explained that "scientific and technological programs are the least understood of our national efforts. Tracing national growth and prosperity directly back to research and development is admittedly a tough job, but I am convinced that space technology stimulates social and economic progress." On budget levels through early 1970s, he said, Compared with earlier forecasts, it seems that a considerably stretched-out program will be characteristic. . . ." In spite of his pessimistic outlook for the present, Rep. Karth said: "This outlook should not cause despair because the long-range prospects for progress are enormous . . . [but] prospects must be sold to the public and top policymakers in terms of what makes sense for the overall benefit of society. (Karth, A&A, 10/67,86-92)
AFOSR Director of Information Sciences Dr. Harold Wooster, writing on "Basic Research and the Department of Defense," presented his appraisal of what basic research is and why it is a benefit when Government funds support basic research. He stated that the Government had spent $2.1 billion on basic research in FY 1967 while American industry was spending $607 million. Wooster believed that basic research and its results transcend state and national boundaries, and that there were "certain large research tools and facilities" which were too expensive for private industry, or any state or combination of states to build. As an example, he pointed to the National Magnet Laboratory at MIT: This Laboratory is a national resource already making important direct applied contributions to the defense effort. It would have been impossible to build without Federal financing." (AFOSR Res Rev, 10/67, 1-9)
US. scientists, during the next decade, would gain enough experience with meteorological satellites, sensors, and surface station networks, to complete global network for gathering and forecasting weather data, Space/ Aeronautics reported. This would require a real marriage of "the potential of the meteorological satellite and the computer. . . ." (S /A , 10/67, 76)
U.S.S.R.'s Academician Dr. Anatoli A. Blagonravov, Chairman of Soviet Commission for Exploration and Use of Outer Space, writing in Astronautics and Aeronautics, explained that general trend of Soviet space program was similar to that of US. program, and refrained from "any forecasts [on] . . . further programs in space research." He said work planning was difficult "because [it] calls for additional checkups or presents prospects of new and unforeseen investigations." He believed "realistically" in prolonged manned space flights, and said there was "no doubt that it will be possible to overcome all the difficulties. . . ." (Blagonravov, A&A, 10/67, 70-8)
AFCRL launched five Nike-Iroquois sounding rockets from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, so that simultaneous observations of the ionosphere might be made using rocket instruments and the Arecibo radiotelescope. Rockets were designed to reach a peak altitude of 112 mi (180 km) . Measurements of temperature, energy distribution, and density of ions and electrons provided basis for calibration and interpretation of ionospheric data acquired by Arecibo radiotelescope. (OAR Research Review, 12/67, 6-7)
During October-November: Lunar Orbiter IV, launched May 4, was presumed to have crashed on lunar surface; contact with spacecraft had been lost July 17. (NASA Proj Off)
- October
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