May 6 1968
From The Space Library
Republican Coordinating Committee report charged "technology gap" existed between U.S. and U.S.S.R. Military space systems emphasis had been on passive satellites until approval of Manned Orbiting Laboratory program-delayed for years. Administration, "fearful lest new developments might provoke undesirable Soviet reactions," had failed to exploit boldly new concepts in science and technology. U.S. R&D had not been aggressively pursued, with consequential slowdown in new weapons development. (Text; AP, NYT, 5/27/68, 8; Golden, P Ina, 5/27/68)
Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong ejected and parachuted to safety from NASA's $2.5-million Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) while flying simulated lunar landing at Ellington AFB, Tex. Vehicle, which had reached 500-ft altitude, crashed and burned on impact. Cause of accident was unknown. (C Trib, 5/7/68; B Sun, 5/7/68; MSC Roundup, 5/10/68, 1)
Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, defended space activity before St. Louis, Mo., section of AIAA: "There are . . . those who are trapped by the illogical proposition that if the money involved were not spent on space, it would automatically flow into projects in which they are more interested. . . . I do not agree. It is not an 'either/ or' situation. In my judgment, if this country is great-and I know it is-it has the will, the ability, and the responsibility to handle both a vigorous space program and the social and economic problems which confront it. In fact, our competence to solve the issues of the city is greater because of the space program." (CR, 6/17/69, S7314)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
