Dec 1 1978
From The Space Library
Aerospace Daily reported that John Yardley, NASA's associate administrator for Space Transportation Systems, had addressed the National Space Club in Washington, D.C. Nov. 28 on the importance of Congress's role in an aggressive space program, contrasting the cautious approach of the Carter Administration. He cited the 1978 introduction of national space-policy bills by Sen. Adlai Stevenson (D-Ill.) and Sen. Harrison Schmitt (R-N M.). On the House side, Rep. Ronnie Flippo (D-Ala.) had introduced, and the House overwhelmingly passed, a bill authorizing an unrequested $25 million to broaden and accelerate R&D for a solar power satellite system, including a hardware flight-demonstration phase that the administration had opposed as "premature." The staff of the House Science and Technology subcommittee on space science and applications, chaired by Rep. Don Fuqua (D-Fla.), had been working on ways for Congress to facilitate "the space industrial revolution," Yardley noted. He added that "if Congress does all these things, it will be in their tradition," including taking the lead in developing the nation's railroad system and passing the Homestead Act in the 19th century. "The same kind of action will be needed soon for the space industrial revolution," he said; the industrial activity required will "be brought to bear if the climate is correct. It's up to the government to provide the environment to stimulate growth." Whether this occurred, he concluded, "may be the difference in the next 50 years as to whether the United States continues to be world leader not only in space but economically-or becomes a second-class power." (A/D, Dec 1/78, 137)
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