Jan 21 1969
From The Space Library
At annual AIAA dinner, in New York, Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr." Secretary-designate of the Air Force and former NASA Deputy Administrator, was installed as President of AIAA for 1969, succeeding Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, who continued as a director. In interview following dinner, Dr. Seamans said NASA should maintain its open space program and its freedom for international exchange of information. USAF, with current MOL program, "has special problems which can be resolved by the Department of Defense." Value of dual space program, he said, was that one element could learn from another. Of U.S.S.R. space program, Dr. Seamans said, "They're awfully good at doubling in brass . .. getting the most out of their program," but "our program has more breadth and depth and if we're imaginative about what we're doing, we're not going to take second place." AIAA presented its Goddard Award to Dr. Stanley Hooker, Technical Director of Bristol-Siddeley Engine Div. of Rolls-Royce, Ltd., and Perry W. Pratt, Vice President and Chief Scientist of United Aircraft Corp." for work on turbine engines. Dr. Charles P. Sonnett, Chief of Space Sciences Div. at ARC, received annual Space Science Award of $500 for "his personal contribution as a planner, leader, and individual experimenter in major space science vehicle programs which have contributed to the field of space physics." LaRC Director Edgar M. Cortright and Charles W. Harper, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator, Aeronautics, OART, were elected AIAA directors. (Lannan, W Star, 1/22/69, A13; NYT, 1/22/69, 33; AIA Releases)
Look published interview in which former astronaut M. Scott Carpenter announced that infarcts in lower thigh bones, indicating calcification, would terminate his career as active deep-sea diver. He would remain senior aquanaut on Sealab III project as deputy on-scene commander of Sealab IL command ship Elk River. (Look, 1/21/69, 68-74)
Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.) introduced on Senate floor S.R. 33 calling on U.S. representatives to U.N. to place before U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Seabed and Ocean Floor set of detailed principles to govern activities in ocean space of all nations of world. Resolution was referred to Committee on Foreign Relations. (CR, 1/21/69, S597)
January 21-28: Harris survey of 1,544 U.S. households showed widespread disenchantment with Federal commitments on space and Vietnam. Greatest number, 39%, selected space as program they would cut first, while 2% voted to keep or increase space program. Second favorite for funding cut was Vietnam war financing, with 18% of votes. Anti-crime and law enforcement programs received greatest number of "keep or increase" votes-22%. (Harris, Federal Times, 3/5/69, 9)
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