Oct 31 1971
From The Space Library
Nixon Administration's New Technology Opportunities Pro- gram "expected to be announced early next year" was described by New York Times. Basic concept was to define technologies that could help solve domestic problems, establish new priorities accordingly, and provide incentives for industry to pursue technological goals. Times said program could be major step toward making Government partner for first time in industries outside aerospace and defense, result in greater Federal R&D funding, and constitute counterattack against "those who increasingly criticize science and technology as disruptive and destructive forces in society." (Wilford, NYT, 10/31/71, 1)
USAF commanders believed USAF had entered "critical period in which American strategic and tactical air power is declining" while U.S.S.R.'s "is expanding," New York Times reported. Chief elements of problem were that USAF's basic weapon systems, B- 52 bomber and F-4 fighter-bomber, were nearing obsolescence and needed to be replaced at "high cost" by B-1 and F-15; satellite- gathered intelligence indicated U.S.S.R. had established lead over U.S. in land-based ICBMs, was building emplacements for larger missiles, and had deployed FOBS to bring missiles on target from any direction; and developments were taking place against "background of budgetary stringency" in U.S. (Middleton, NYT, 10/31/71, 95)
Revised NASA Policy Directive for administering Agency activities for protection and enhancement of environmental quality became effective. (NASA Pol Dir 8800.6A)
New York Times editorial criticized President Nixon's decision to hold nuclear warhead test Cannikin: "Multiple anxieties" had found "responsible expression in many quarters." It was "simply not good enough" for Administration to make known its decision through AEC. "There was a time when the public accepted the father- knows-best assurance about `overriding requirements of national security.' But that time is not now. Scrutiny and skepticism by Congress and the public have forced a healthy re-examination of many national security decisions from the manufacture of biological horror weapons to the defoliation of Vietnam to the roles of the manned bomber and the aircraft carrier. Nuclear weapons technology, although an arcane subject, is no exception." (NYT, 10/31/71, 16)
London Sunday Express reported U.S.S.R. was building launching sites for intercontinental hydrogen bomb missiles at unprecedented speed in rocky areas. Paper said more than 60 silos had been photographed by spy satellites in recent months. U.K. Defence Ministry had said article was speculative, Reuters reported. (NYT, 1/11/71, 48)
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