Aug 17 1969
From The Space Library
Apollo 11 astronauts discussed possible manned Mars landing by 1982 on CBS TV program "Face the Nation." Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong said, "I am quite certain that goals of the Mars variety are within our range, should we choose . . . that investment of our national resources." First exploratory flights could be combined with earth-orbiting spacecraft to develop long-term capability with same kind of spacecraft. It was "well within our capability" to be prepared for Mars launch in 1981. Astronaut Edwin E Aldrin, Jr., said he was "not so sure . . . this is the time that we can accurately set a date like 1981." Setting goal was worthwhile but as intermediate goals were reached "I believe we will be able to better define exactly what our longer term goals are in terms of ten years from now." Astronaut Michael Collins said, "I don't think 1981 is too soon. I think it is well within our capability to do so." Long-duration trip "requires careful design and testing of the equipment, which could easily be done in Earth orbit with a number of ancillary benefits." He defended Bible reading in space and announced he would not fly in space again, because he found it increasingly difficult "to keep up year after year" with rigorous training required. (SBD, 8/19/69, 159; W Post, 8/18/69, A2; NYT, 8/18/69, 33)
Japan successfully launched her largest rocket to date-four-stage, 75-ftlong, 4.5-ft-dia, 43.8-ton MU3D-Kyodo News Service reported. Rocket reached 100-mi (160.9-km) altitude in 41/2 min, with last stage reaching 1.8 mps-about half speed thought needed to orbit satellite-and splashing down in Western Pacific after 7 min 35 secs of flight. (B Sun, 8/18/69, A4)
President Nixon's post-Apollo 11 tour of Asia and Romania July 25-Aug. 3, plus his remarks and reactions aboard U.S.S. Hornet at splashdown and during welcoming ceremony for astronauts, were recorded in New York Times Magazine article by Max Frankel and Robert B. Semple, Jr. Authors were among press accompanying President and Mrs. Nixon on tour. President and party had basked "in reflected moonglow." When President walked toward reviewing stand in Guam, spectator had remarked, "that's his moon walk." Apollo 11 had given President "new exuberance." (NYT Magazine, 8/17/69, 26-9, 76-80)
Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), as Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, had forced NASA to pay $5,522 for USAF jet to transport 32 committee members and wives to Aug. 13 Apollo 11 state dinner in Los Angeles, Rowland Evans and Robert Novak said in Washington Post. NASA also had to pay $19,342 for chartered commercial jet for space officials and $2,800 for Aug. 12 Houston luncheon, and White House was charging agency with most of estimated $75,000 cost of state dinner. (W Post, 8/17/69, B7)
Controversy was building up over astronauts, future, Apollo Program, and manned space flight generally, Harry Schwartz said in New York Times. Three major debates were over whether engineer-astronauts or scientist-astronauts should be sent on future Apollo missions; who should control mission schedules and astronaut activities, "NASA hierarchy" or ground-based scientists in NASA, and whether U.S. should emphasize unmanned probes or crash program to put men on Mars in early 1980s. "The fact that it is the scientists who have been resigning while astronauts with test pilot backgrounds have been receiving unprecedented public acclaim makes it evident where the balance of power lies for the moment within NASA. But the issue is far from settled, since NASA itself must and does use the prospect of scientific advances as a key argument in seeking appropriations for space activities. Hence the dissident scientists could have substantial leverage if they teamed up with Congressmen and others who oppose the space appropriations for other reasons. It would not be surprising . .. if NASA sought to ease the scientists, irritation by satisfying some of their demands." (NYT, 8/17/69, D2)
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