L-5 NEWS A PUBLICATION OF THE L-5 SOCIETY VOL. 3 NUMBER 3 MARCH 1978

Carolyn Henson, Editor

Membership Services: Marc Boone

William Weigle In this issue: Administrative Services 1 OMB’s Plan for NASA Will the Enterprise by mothballed? Will we Board of Directors: send probes to Halley’s Comet and the lunar poles? Carolyn Isaac Asimov Henson reports. Barry Goldwater, Sr. Robert A. Heinlein Gordon R. Woodcock 4 Senate Symposium Commentary Jon Alexandr and Ken McCormick Barbara Marx Hubbard report on the Symposium on the Future of Space Science and Space Konrad K. Dannenberg Applications. Hon. Edward R. Finch, Jr, James E. Oberg 7 “We Have Friends In Congress” by Howard Gluckman. Leonard David . . . Or Do We? Keep up to date on Proxmire. J. Peter Vajk Jack D. Salmon Phillip Parker 8 Testimony of Dr. Gerard K. O’Neill The complete testimony given David M. Fradin by O’Neill at the Future Space Program Hearings. Romualdas Sviedrys Keith Henson 9 News from NASA Carolyn Henson United States and Soviets Talk About Space William Weigle Space Social Impact Study Mark Hopkins Studies Aimed at Microwave Solar Energy Norie Huddle Magoroh Maruyama Harlan Smith 10 Salyut-G/Soyuz-26 Joined by Soyuz-27 Phil1 Parker gives us details Carol Motts on the Soviet space station.

11 Spacelab Candidates Chosen Salyut-6 Strides On More on the Soviet space station by Phil1 Parker.

Publication office: The L-5 Society, 12 The Cosmos-929 Enigma James Oberg reports on a possible Soviet 1060 E. Elm, Tucson, Arizona 85719. “space tugboat.” Published monthly. Subscription: $3.00 per year, included in dues ($20.00 per 13 Military Test Pilot Astronauts Defended by James Oberg. year, students $10.00 per year). Subscription price to non-members More on Military Shuttle Pilots by George S. Quin, Jr. available on request. Second class postage paid at Tucson, Arizona and 14 Inside the L-5 Society additional offices. Copyright ©1978 by the L-5 Society. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without 16 Letters written consent of the L-5 Society. The opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the policy of the L-5 Society. Membership Services: L-5 Society, 1620 N. Park Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719. Telephone: 602/622- Front Cover: A “heliogyro” solar sail approaches Halley’s Comet, due to 6351 enter the inner solar system in 1986. Its next scheduled visit is in 2062. See Change of address notices, undeliverable related story page 1. (Artwork courtesy Jet Propulsion Laboratory.) copies, orders for subscriptions, and other mail items are to be sent to: Back Cover: Schematic representation of the solar system showing the sun, L-5 Society Membership Services the orbit of the Earth, the orbit of Halley’s Comet, and the trajectory a solar 1620 N. Park sail mission would follow in order to catch up with the comet. (Artwork Tucson, AZ 85719 courtesy Jet Propulsion Laboratory.) OMB’s Plan for NASA Enterprise, Halley’s Comet Mission, LPO to Bite the Dust?

by Carolyn Henson If the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has its way, it looks like slim pickings for NASA in fiscal year 1979. OMB guidelines allow $4.371 billion for NASA’s budget. This represents an 8% increase over last year’s budget, barely enough to keep pace with inflation. Budget increases are slated for the Jupiter Orbiter Probe, solar-polar out-of- ecliptic mission, Earth radiation budget spacecraft, halogen occultation experiment and solar mesospheric explorer. On the other hand, OMB decided to ground the Enterprise and decrease spending on Earth resources and communications, space transportation advanced planning and solar power satellites. The Halley’s Comet mission will be cancelled, and the Lunar Polar Orbiter (LPO) failed to win approval for the third year in a row. The Lunar Polar Orbiter is considered a vital step in developing extraterrestrial resources. Scientists suspect that glaciersof ice, nitrogen and carbon dioxide may be hidden in permanently shaded areas of the Moon’s poles. The LPO would be able to Halley’s comet: wait until 2062 for a closeup view? detect and locate such glaciers, which, if they exist, could provide space settlers with elements which are almost totally non- existent on the lunar plains. Otherwise, settlers will have to import hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon from Earth at great expense. Space industrialization and settlements may suffer a delay if LPO misses the boat again this year. However, if the Halley’s Comet Mission gets the gate, we’re going to have to wait another 76 years after its visit in 1986 in order to see close up motion pictures of gossamer veils boiling off the solar system’s most spectacular comet. The only other comet whose arrival date is expected before the end of the century is Comet Encke. (Other comets, “unexpected visitors,” will almost surely show up, but we will only have a few months warning of their arrival -- too short a time for a spacecraft to-catch up with one.) Comet Encke has been in the solar system a long time, so long, in fact, that it has become a burnt-out rock with no hint of the flaming tail which has made Halley’s Comet an object of fear and beauty. But OMB wants us to check out Encke instead. Sigh. Enterprise: headed for the hangar -- permanently?

1 NASA Budget Plan Space and Terrestrial Applications FY 1978 FY 1979 Space Transportation Systems Space Applications: 234,600 274,300 Earth Resources Detection and Monitoring (106,945) (151,500) (Thousands of Dollars) Landsat-C ...... 3,200 700 FY 1978 FY 1979 Landsat-D ...... 48,200 97,500 Space Shuttle 1,349,2OO 1,439,300 Shuttle/spacelab payload Design, development, test and development ...... 3,370 6,000 evaluation ...... (1,307,500) (985,300) Shuttle/spacelab mission design Orbiter ...... 800,500 536,500 and integration ...... Main engine ...... 219,900 176,700 2,240 6,900 Integrated payload planning . . . External tanks ...... 82,200 80,500 (4,000) 4,000 Applications research and Solid rocket boosters . . . . . 97,300 63,500 Launch and landing ...... 107,600 128,100 technology development . . . . . 49,735 36,400 Production ...... (41,700) (454,000) Follow-on data analysis and -- Orbiter ...... 38,700 397,000 operations ...... 200 Earth Dynamics Monitoring and Main engine ...... 3,000 18,000 Forecasting (7,200) Launch and landing ...... -- 11,000 (8,600) Tectonic plate motion Spares and equipment . . . . -- 28,000 ...... 2,200 2,100 Space Flight Operations 267,600 311,900 Applications research and Space transportation system technology development . . . . . 3,100 5,400 operations capability Follow-on data analysis and development ...... 59,700 110,500 operations ...... 1,900 1,100 Development, test and mission Ocean Condition Monitoring and operations ...... 176,400 163,000 Forecasting (16,950) (12,400) Advanced programs ...... 10,000 5,000 Seasat-A...... 11,400 3,000 Space transportation system Applications research and operations ...... 17,700 33,400 technology development . . . . . 2,750 4,200 Planning and program Follow-on data analysis and integration ...... 4,000 -- operations ...... 2,800 5,200 Expendable Launch Vehicles 134,500 76,500 Environmental Quality Monitoring (26,190) (20,200) scout ...... 17,000 16,000 Nimbus-G ...... 13,900 2,800 Centaur ...... 55,900 21,000 Halogen occultation -- Delta ...... 55,300 38,600 experiment ...... 6,100 Atlas-F ...... 6,300 -- Shuttle/spacelab payload TOTAL SPACE development ...... 3,140 2,900 TRANSPORTATION 1,751,500 1,627,700 Applications research and technology development . . . . . 8,150 7,400 Follow-on data analysis and operations ...... 1,000 1,000 Weather Observation and Forecasting (25,115) (22,600) Tiros-N ...... 4,100 -- Space Science Shuttle/spacelab payload development (ACPL) ...... 2,700 4,400 Physics and Astronomy 224,200 265,500 Global atmospheric research High energy astronomy program ...... 5,000 5,800 observatory ...... 18,400 11,400 Severe storm research Solar maximum mission ...... 30,600 16,200 program ...... 5,600 6,500 Space telescope development . . 36,000 79,200 Global weather program Solar polar mission support ...... 5,815 5,100 -- development ...... 13,000 Follow-on data analysis and Shuttle/Spacelab payload operations ...... 1,900 1,000 development ...... 28,900 38,300 Climate Research (2,500) (12,200) Explorer development ...... 23,896 29,800 Earth radiation budget satellite Mission operations and data system ...... -- 8,000 analysis ...... 27,004 32,400 Applications research and Research and analysis ...... 33,400 35,900 technology development . . . . . 2,500 4,200 Suborbital programs ...... 26,000 29,300 Materials Processing in Space (15,200) (20,400) Lunar and Planetary Exploration 147,200 167,100 Space processing applications -- Pioneer Venus ...... 18,100 rocket project ...... 3,900 3,600 -- -- Voyager ...... Applications research and Jupiter orbiter/probe ...... 20,700 78,700 technology development . . . . . 5,000 4,400 Mission operations and data Shuttle/spacelab payload analysis ...... 84,500 84,400 development ...... 6,300 12,400 Research and analysis ...... 23,900 24,000 Space Communications (21,200) (22,000) Life Sciences 33,300 40,600 Search and rescue mission . . . , 5,600 8,000 Life sciences flight Shuttle/spacelab payload experiments ...... 9,000 12,400 development ...... 1,000 1,200 Vestibular function Technical consultation and research ...... 1,500 3,800 support studies ...... 3,100 3,100 Research and analysis ...... 22,800 24,400 Application research and 513,200 TOTAL SPACE SCIENCE 404,700 technology development . . . . 7,700 5,200

2 L-5 News, March 1978 (Thousands of Dollars) FY 1978 IFY 1979 Follow-on data analysis and operations ...... 3,700 4,500 Cooperative applications satellite-C ...... 100 -- Applications Explorer Missions (13.500) (4,200) Heat capacity mapping mission ...... 300 Stratospheric aerosol and gas experiment ...... 2,400 -- Magnetic field satellite ...... 10,500 3,900 Technology Utilization 9,100 9,100 Industrial applications ...... 3,715 3,715 Technology applications ...... 4,110 4,110 Program control and evaluation ...... 1,275 1.275 TOTAL SPACE AND TERRESTRIAL APPLICATIONS 243,900 283,400

Aeronautics and Space Technology

Aeronautical Research and Technology 228,000 284,100 Research and technology base ...... 96,660 109,200 Systems studies ...... 3,000 3,000 Systems technology programs ...... 75,090 85,645 Experimental programs ...... 51,250 66,255 (Aircraft energy efficiency technology included in systems technology and experimental programs) . . . . . (70,200) (97,400) Space Research and Technology 97,700 108,300 Research and technology base ...... 65,900 71,700 Systems studies ...... 2,000 2,000 Systems technology programs ...... 5,600 7,900 Experimental programs ...... 15,000 17,700 Low cost system program . . . . . 9,000 9,000 Energy Technology Applications 7,500 3,000 TOTAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE TECHNOLOGY 333,200 375,400

Space Tracking and Data Systems

Tracking and Data Acquisition 278,300 305,400 Operations ...... 228,600 254,200 Systems implementation ...... 40,400 41,300 Advanced systems ...... 9,300 9,900

View of San Francisco: California’s budget surplus nearly equals NASA's proposed budget.

3 Senate Symposium Commentary

by Jon Alexandr and Ken McCormick

The eventual mass movement of source of concern. For instance, the cost practical economic benefits which derive humanity into space was an idea that of orbiting a satellite which would make from the space program. “Right now, seemed to be almost taken for granted by available a “Dick Tracy” wrist radio space is the only major technological area participants in the Senate Science, Tech- system to the public was seen as about a where we are creating the leading edge of nology and Space Subcommittee’s Febru- billion dollars by Ivan Bekey of Aero- technology. Every industry in this coun- ary 7 ‘Symposium on the Future of space Corporation. However, with the try benefits over a relatively short period Space Science and Space Applications.” wrist radios available to consumers at of time from the fact that we stay at the The emphasis, however, was on the about $10 each, and a charge of 10 cents leading edge of technology,” said Senator potential economic benefits to the Per minute for use of the satellite Harrison Schmitt. earth-bound citizen of the industrializ- facilities, the billion-dollar satellite should Krafft Ehricke saw the center of world ation of space. produce about a billion dollars per year in power as shifting away from Western Apart from discussion of Lunar, revenues, said Mr. Bekey. civilization as non-Western populations Martian, and space colonization, speakers NASA administrator Frosch placed the expand and the third world nations tended to focus on applications of space cost of an SSPS system at $500 billion, industrialize. He pointed to foreign technology which have been studied in and said that while this was comparable imports which are currently driving the some detail, already. Large, heavy com- to the capital outlay for other systems, U.S. out of some industries as indicative munications satellites, for instance, would such as coal and nuclear fission, the other of the shape of things to come. To make possible electronic mail transmis- systems could be purchased in small maintain a competitive economy, said sion, delivery of health care to remote chunks, whereas the SSPS system would Ehricke, the U.S. must maintain techno- areas, electronic commuting by telecon- have to come all in one package. If he logical pre-eminence. A “Space America,” ferencing, wrist radios, personal emergen- could not get agreement on relatively using lunar resources and the industrial cy “panic buttons” for summoning help, cheap information and communications potential of space was seen as a road to and continuous electronic tracking of satellites, Frosch asked, how was he ever jobs and job security. nuclear fuel shipments. A global informa- going to get the huge investment for Dr. Brown pointed out that there are tion network could make the contents of SSPS? Other speakers, such as Space many other nations in the world today, the great libraries of the world available Global president Krafft Ehricke, stressed such as Japan, Brazil, or China, which for electronic retrieval by receiving that we would approach our large goals in would be capable of becoming the stations in homes and small libraries. space by small, profitable increments. number one space power within twenty- Observation satellites could provide Economist Dr. Klaus Heiss said he five years, should they choose to invest in instant dial-up images to individual regarded SSPS as “a feasible option to that direction. farmers and other users, provide informa- pursue” once research on large structures “I think that it is self-interest -- tion for earthquake prediction, monitor in space has been carried out. He noted hard-nosed economic interest -- that . . . pollution, fisheries, and crops, and detect that in the case of fusion research we are today offers the United States an forest and brush fires within seconds after putting $400 million this year “into the opportunity in space,” said economist they start. pursuit of a technology that by all Heiss. “I do think, right now, we are Lifesaving chemicals and super-strong economic estimates will at that be underinvesting in space as to what the metals which cannot be produced in the operationally useful by the year 2025 or potential promise might be of space. strong gravitational field of the earth maybe the year 2035. Space-based power Once economics takes over . . . economic could be manufactured in space. systems . . . certainly have a similar po- self-interest will get us to the great vision Satellite solar power stations were tential over such a long time horizon. We that was offered by some of the other discussed, as well as the possibility of should pursue them, but we are not speakers, today.” microwave transmission, via satellite, of putting any similar funding into the Senator Donald Riegle, a rapidly-rising energy produced in remote areas of the pursuit of a space based power option.” politician with presidential ambitions, earth. A subject of great concern to speakers drew flak from Harrison Schmitt and Dr. Dr. William M. Brown of the Hudson and senators, alike was the problem of Frosch when he announced that although Institute saw space tourism as a trillion- the shrinking NASA budget. Dr. Heiss he had taken his son to see “Star Wars” dollar growth industry of the twenty-first suggested that if a poll were taken which for the sixth time, he wondered whether century. Lower and lower transportation first explained to respondents that we are we should be spending so much money costs to orbit will eventually make space spending $126 billion for defense, and on space when there is so much to be travel as accessible to the ordinary citizen $160 billion for the department of done here on earth. Dr. Frosch argued as long-distance travel is today, said Dr. Health, Education and Welfare, and then that we will not solve the problems which Brown. asked how much we are spending for now face us with the same set of beliefs Dr. George Van Reeth, director of space, most people would guess that we and capabilities which created the prob- administration of the European Space are spending tens of billions of dollars, lems to begin with. Just as has been the Agency, said that the sponsor nations of rather than the four billion which is case throughout history, said Frosch, we ESA had great interest in the commercial actually allocated. can expect new definitions and new applications of space, as well as in It was felt that there is wide support in solutions to problems to come from resource satellites. ESA will seek an Congress and among the public for the totally unexpected areas as we gain new increase in its $600 million budget, and space program, but that NASA projects knowledge and new capabilities. will continue to cooperate in the future always ran into trouble with the “budget- The concepts which have been put “mainly, but not exclusively” with the eers” in OMB and the congressional forward by Gerard O’Neill were referred U.S. appropriations committee. The antidote to several times during the symposium, The large initial capital investment of for this was seen to be congresspersons although Dr. O’Neill was unfortunately space industrialization ventures was a and the public becoming aware of not present to explain his own views.

4 L-5 News, March 1978 Professor James Arnold of the University of California termed the prospect of lunar mining “very exciting,” and found the “We Have Friends in Congress” study which has been done so far “encouraging.” He said he thought it was something which should have “enormous interest” for us. by Howard Gluckman Dr. Brown of the Hudson Institute, on the other hand, said he agreed with Dr. “We have friends in Congress!” With Extraterrrestrial Intelligence (SETI) pro- Frosch “that we as engineers don’t want those words, space consultant G. Harry ject. German rocket pioneer Krafft to spend too much time in the near term Stine introduced his talk on space Ehricke gave a speech on space industria- working out those problems.” He ac- industrialization at the AIAA/World Fu- lization that was unfortunately cut short knowledged that “space colonies are a very ture Society symposium: “Our Extrater- by lack of time. Ehricke was followed by popular item among certain select groups restrial Heritage -- From UFOs to Space Charles Gould of Rockwell International today -- ‘cults,’ if you wish,” and that Colonies.” The program took place at the who presented a long discussion of the some of the work which has been done California Museum of Science and Indus- details of space industrialization. He was by “interested young students” as a try on Saturday, January 28. followed by Stine and Richard Johnson, hobby has been a “bonus” to NASA. Mr. Stine refrained from reading his Deputy Director of the NASA/Ames “They’re building these little mass driv- prepared paper, and instead told the Space Colonization study. Johnson, who ers . . . and they’re studying the various suddenly awakened audience about the was put on the defensive by Stine, tried problems that they can forsee, and recently completed hearings on “Future to bring everyone down to Earth by thinking about how you get solutions Space Programs” in the House Committee detailing the problems that have yet to be and, as I understand, most of them do it on Science and Technology. He told of solved, but it was to no avail. The for free, and some of the work I think is the good reception that he and fellow program ended with a space-scenes slide really very good work.” witnesses Gerard O’Neill, Barbara Marx show presented by the museum, and a Dr. Brown made it clear that he Hubbard, and other space industrializa- special videotape showing of a television expected O’Neill-type colonies to be tion proponents received, and of the program produced by the World Future built, regarding the timing as the only real chastisements that met Carter administra- Society on the public’s reaction to space. question. After pointing out that Dr. tion representatives Frank Press and O’Neill sees colonies as feasible “by the Robert Frosch. end of the century,” Brown said that he Stine then read the testimony that he disagrees with this, believing that colonies presented to the committee. In it he “might not be feasible except after 50 called for major changes and improve- years.” ments in the way our space endeavors are Brown acknowledged O’Neill’s work in handled. He urged Congress to let NASA the area of a feasible time scale, however, do what it does best -- research and saying, “I’m not putting myself up development, and space science; and to against him, because I certainly don’t let them contract out or relinquish know what I’m really talking about, control of what it does poorly -- public except as second-hand information.” relations, and management of an opera- Brown did not make it clear what the tional space transportation system. His basis was for his contradiction of talk was received enthusiastically by the O’Neill’s time scale. symposium audience. In his summary remarks, subcommittee Mr. Stine’s speech was the highlight of chairman Adlai Stevenson III questioned an otherwise ordinary symposium. The the wisdom of the Carter administration’s morning program concentrated on UFOs. proposal to reduce the size of the space The topics ranged from close encounters shuttle orbiter fleet to four orbiters. (the Zeta Reticuli episode), to instrument Pointing out that Congress authorized a detection of UFOs, to the Search for fleet of five orbiters last year, Stevenson made it plain that he would like to see funds for the fifth orbiter restored to this year’s budget. Stevenson noted that there . . . Or Do We? was some question as to whether four orbiters would be enough to perform the Dear Mr. Carley: tasks already envisioned for the 1980’s, Therefore, I have concluded that any and that procurement of a fifth orbiter at I appreciate hearing from you about the funds spent on space colonization is a later date would cost $200 million more CBS program 60 Minutes and my com- simply a waste given the massive problems than the procurement of the fifth orbiter ments regarding space colonization. remaining to be solved here on earth. on the original schedule. He suggested My position is based on economics and The Administator of NASA has in- that the proposal to cut the orbiter fleet good sense. A plan to place 100,000 or one formed me that their planning for the could prove to be “a 200 million dollar million people in space on a permanent foreseeable future is NOT directed at mistake.” basis cannot be justified by any known permanent settlements of people in space In his final remarks, Sen. Stevenson analytical study incorporating cost effec- since there are no calculations of the returned again to a theme that he had tiveness criteria. On earth we have land, benefits that could be derived. He also has repeatedly stressed throughout the water, and an environment that if not plen- said that this space plan has no priority at symposium; the current experimentation tiful at least is available for use without NASA. with space warfare techniques, he said, could lead to an expansion of the arms artificial construction. A space station for I agree with both of these positions. Our race into space. This, he felt, would be a one million inhabitants would require limited federal funding can be put to much development which could interfere with financial resources beyond anything cur- better use here on earth. all the great goals that had been rently imaginable without any prospect of William Proxmire. discussed. economic return. U.S. Senate

5 Testimony of Dr. Gerard K. O’Neill in support of House Concurrent Resolution 451 before the committee on Science and Technology, House of Representatives, Jan. 25th, 1978

Thank you for the opportunity to immediate attack on these urgent pro- know that the cost in energy to transport present these views. I’m here to report to blems, in a way that will leave us the materials from the lunar surface into free you on great progress that’s been made, individual freedoms we have fought for space, where it can be used by a totally on a unique opportunity that we now during the past two hundred years. And solar-powered industry, is less than a have to benefit this country and the in the course of that solution, to preserve twentieth as large as the energy cost to world, and finally to point to a very big and protect the fragile biosphere of our transport similar materials up from the job still to be done. At the start I want to Earth. Earth. thank the several Congressional commit- The fatalism of the limits-to-growth It makes sense to put at least a small tees that have recognized the significance alternative is reasonable only if one fraction of our total national effort, of this work from the start; and the ignores all the resources beyond our perhaps one part in ten thousand of our hundreds of scientists and engineers in atmosphere, resources thousands of times federal budget, into exploring over the government, the universities and industry greater than we could ever obtain from next several years how we can use these that have brought the paper study phase our beleaguered Earth. As expressed very basic scientific facts to break through the to a most successful conclusion; and the beautifully in the language of House limits to growth and solve the urgent private citizens’ groups, of which Mrs. Concurrent Resolution 451, “this tiny worldwide problems. Hubbard’s is an outstanding example, Earth is not humanity’s prison, is not a In addition to the eternal truths of that have supported this work from its closed and dwindling resource, but is in science, there are facts of current events first public discussion. fact only part of a vast system rich in that must be heeded in any practical Humanity is now faced with urgent opportunities, a high frontier which program. problems that far transcend in scope and irresistibly beckons and challenges the First, the Shuttle is the only vehicle timescale the duration of one American American genius.” system that will be operational for at presidency. How to solve growing short- My own background is in pure science, least the next decade, and that can give us ages of energy, how to reverse the present in the search for scientific truth such as a toe-hold on the High Frontier. If used worldwide sink toward poverty, hunger, the measurement of the size of the efficiently, as an airline uses its aircraft, and military confrontation over diminish- electron. Yet I believe that efforts of pure the Shuttle could transport a little less ing resources. There are two alternative science, with no practical application for than two thousand tons of equipment per approaches: many decades, must be accompanied by year into orbit. One is to accept the inevitability of the immediate application of science Second, events are changing much too catastrophe, and do nothing except to wherever possible to humanity’s urgent rapidly for us to forsee now just which monitor global resources, slow the pace problems. industrial products will be the first to of decline by conservation, and be ready I’m reporting on an apparent solution benefit from a program of manufacturing to accept the harsh limits on human to the limits-to-growth problem, based on in space from nonterrestrial materials. freedoms that an eventual global steady- fundamental facts of science that will Right now the idea of satellite solar state will impose. That is the counsel of never change: First, that while we search power stations, in synchronous orbit the “limits-to-growth” apologists. It was desperately for new energy resources here where the sun always shines, beaming expressed well in the article “After the on the Earth, a few thousand miles down low-density microwave energy for Deluge, the Covenant” in Saturday above our heads there streams by conversion to ordinary electricity for Review-World. That article imagines as a constantly, night and day, a flood of Earth, looks like an ideal candidate. The good solution a history of these next high-intensity solar energy far greater need is great, and the demand can be decades in which 65 million people die by than we could ever need. estimated as a worldwide market of over starvation, many millions more die in Second, that already we know of 200 billion dollars by the turn of the nuclear wars, and ultimately nations such materials resources, for large-scale indus- century. Clearly the use of materials as our own surrender sovereignty to a trial activities in space, thousands of already at the top of Earth’s gravitational worldwide Authority with control over times greater than we could ever obtain mountain could reduce transport costs by all our nuclear weapons and power to from the Earth without despoiling it a large factor, as well as avoiding equalize world food supplies by shipping completely. We spent, in today’s dollars, environmental impact questions that American food abroad with or without fifty billions on the Apollo project. As a would be raised by the alternative of our consent. Let me emphasize that I result we know that the lunar surface is launching rockets through the atmos- share with many people a belief that a one third metals, usable for manufactured phere from Earth, with a total traffic that reduction of population growth rates is a products, one fifth silicon, ideal for solar would be two thousand times larger in good thing. The fact is, though, that the cells and electronics, and more than forty tons per year than the shuttle traffic. only peaceful way that reduction has ever percent oxygen, essential in life-support. I But it may be that by the time the come about is by individual free choice, say we should use that knowledge, not High Frontier is opened the satellite in an affluent, well-educated society. No throw it away or ignore it. power concept will be dead, either one who calls himself human could regard Already we know that there are special because of some insoluable problem in as an acceptable alternative the enforced groups of asteroids, with orbits close to the engineering, or because of environ- death of millions of children by famine. the Earth, that are rich not only in the mental impact, or because during its The second approach to the global minerals found on the Moon but also in development some other energy technolo- problems is, I believe, far more in keeping the organic-chemistry building-blocks gy will have become less expensive. It with our American tradition. That is to needed for a complete industrial econo- makes sense therefore to preserve general- use all the science and engineering my. ity in the assault on the High Frontier, to knowledge we now have in a vigorous, Last of three basic scientific facts, we develop the fastest, least expensive

6 L-5 News, March 1978 approach to nonterrestrial resources of energy and materials for use in space. By the time we have broken through the limits to growth, it will be clearer how first to exploit the breakthrough. In the past three years there has been great progress in the scientific and engineering studies of the High Frontier concept, and that progress is now well documented, in proceedings of confer- ences published by the American Insti- tute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, in publications of the Edison Electric Institute, and in a disarmingly slim volume with the technical articles from a 1976 NASA study. These articles have gone through the entire scientific process of peer-review. Last summer a massive study more than four times as large as this one was completed, and its results, in 16 peer-reviewed technical articles, will shortly be published by NASA. Our present best estimate of the quickest, most economical road to follow is contained in that final study, and is condensed in a special section of the journal “Astronautics and Aeronautics” to be published this March. To show you how much has been accomplished with very little, here are a few pictures of one special device that may be a key to reaching the High Frontier within the limitations of the Shuttle. The device is a new type of electric motor called a mass-driver. It would be used initially as a reaction engine, a tugboat to lift accumu- lated shuttle payloads of equipment to geosynchronous and lunar orbit. A first working model has already been built, by a group of student volunteers under the direction of Dr. Henry Kolm. The High-acceleration working machine was demonstrated at several model of mass-driver. locations, one of them the final briefing at our 1977 NASA-Ames study. The tests were entirely successful, and the model accelerated a one pound load from zero to 85 miles per hour over a six-foot length. A mass-driver reaction engine could be carried into orbit in sections, by the Shuttle, to an orbital workbench of a kind already studied by NASA-Johnson Space Center. The reaction engine could lift over 700 tons of accumulated shuttle payloads to lunar orbit, using powdered external tanks from the shuttle to provide the push. Unless we use them those tanks will otherwise be allowed to burn up in the atmosphere over the Indian ocean, an unpardonable waste. Less than two years’ worth of shuttle payloads, lifted to lunar orbit by the mass-driver, would give us all the equipment needed for a lunar base, and all the propellant to soft-land it on the lunar surface. A second mass-driver would be part of that equipment. Located on REACTION MASS the lunar surface, it could bring out 30,000 tons/year of lunar materials to a Mass-driver: Current in drive precise point in space; that is, twenty coils makes magnetic field that times as much tonnage as the shuttle pushes on currents in bucket could lift. One year more of equipment coils, giving acceleration. Lunar mine and mass-driver. Crew habitat and machinery tunnels covered by lunar soil for shielding.

lift would give us the capability of environment, baked their own bread, and paper. In the uncertain first months of chemical processing of those lunar materi- lived comfortably. In the Salyut space the new Administration, even that small als in space. station, food plants have already been share has been reduced; fortunately, We don’t need large-size space-colonies grown, and several of the life-support private donations to the Space Studies as a precondition for that industrial systems have already been operated Institute in Princeton have allowed us to activity; studies show that comfortable successfully in closed-cycle form. What push ahead vigorously even in the absence apartments can be built within the shuttle we’re still arguing about, they’re already of funding from the executive branch. external tanks, for use both in space and doing. It is premature to talk of exact on the lunar surface: it appears that That isn’t our only competition. Japan schedules and exact plans. During these within a time of seven years from first has averaged a 10% annual economic next three years we need most of all a liftoff, in a traffic model of 60 shuttle growth rate for decades, and markets its strong effort on working models, bench- flights per year, we could bootstrap our products aggressively and successfully here top pilot-plants, and critical-path analysis. way to a productivity in space of more in America. As a result, by 1990 Japan’s I recommend that Congress entrust that than two hundred thousand tons per year standard of living is calculated to surpass effort to the guidance of the Universities of finished products, from about three our own. It may be no accident that of Space Research Association, a group of times that quantity of raw materials. the many translations of my book, The 55 universities with headquarters in If those products were the components High Frontier, the first to be completed Houston, Texas. In parallel, we need an of solar power stations, to be sold to all and published is the Japanese edition. unbiased, objective, independent analysis those countries that need energy, their If I may give some good news, The of what the High Frontier program could value would be over twenty billion dollars High Frontier recently won the Phi Beta do for this country, in jobs, economic per year in hard-currency earnings. That Kappa award as the best science book of growth, and the preservation of the should mean a lot to our country, that 1977. I don’t think it’s because I’m environment. The Office of Technology had a deficit just this past November of another Ernest Hemingway, but rather Assessment is well able to carry out such over three billion dollars in balance-of- that the basic idea is a powerful one. an analysis. payments. We need not fear that these concepts With this intensive effort, by 1980 we Because of the shuttle and our are of no interest to the general public. should be in a position to decide whether headstart in space technology, the United Just during a few weeks there are, for to reach for the High Frontier, or States is now in a better position than example, the excellent Associated Press whether to remain forever limited by the any other nation to seize this opportunity article announcing the House Concurrent resources of our planet. That reach would and profit by it, while still benefiting Resolution, a New York Times magazine then require an Apollo-scale program of other nations. But no opportunity waits article to be published next Sunday, a engineering and science, but if it is as forever, and the chance we now have can NOVA educational television one hour successful as the Apollo project was, by be lost within a few years. The Russians special to be shown on February 2nd, the late 1980’s the first lift of equipment didn’t seriously compete with Apollo, but three BBC Television specials, and dozens’ could begin, and productive payback quietly they’ve now gone far ahead of us of other articles and interviews. could occur by the 1990’s. We can only in studying the maintenance of a We have accomplished a great deal so know for sure that if we close off that workforce in space for long periods of far on a limited amount of funding. If the option, there is no alternative but the time. They’ve completed tests lasting over whole NASA budget is represented by a bleak, authoritarian future of the steady- a year, in which groups of three people stack of books two feet high our share state society. grew wheat and other grains in a closed corresponds to only a single sheet of 8 L-5 News. March 1978 News from NASA

United States and Soviets Space Social Impact Talk About Space Study

NASA and the Soviet Union’s Acade- my of Sciences held discussions Nov. 14 capacity of the Space Shuttle and the The National Aeronautics and Space to 17 in Moscow concerning further capability for longer stay time in orbit Administration, with the help of a team cooperation in space. The talks are a represented by the Salyut. of social scientists at Georgetown Univer- result of an agreement reached by NASA In another U.S.-USSR cooperative sity, is starting to think about the impact and the Soviet Academy of Sciences May space program, the eighth annual meeting of future commercial activities in space. 11, 1977, following a meeting of of the NASA-Soviet Space Biology and “Maybe we ought to try to anticipate representatives. of the two agencies in Medicine Working Group was held Nov. some of the social and cultural impacts Washington. 19 to 25 at NASA’s Wallops Flight early enough to be ready for them,” said The U.S. delegation was headed by Dr. Center. Before the formal meeting, a a space agency official who is overseeing a Noel Hinners, Associate Administrator workshop on simulated weightlessness $15,000 grant to the Georgetown gradu- for Space Science, NASA headquarters. was held Nov. 16 to 18 in Bethesda, Md. ate school for the project. The Soviet Delegation was led by Dr. The workshop and meeting are part of a For a start, said Jesco von Puttkamer, Boris Petrov, Chairman of the Intercos- continuing program under the 1971 the NASA official, the agency would like mos Council of the Soviet Academy of Science and Applications Agreement to find out how many scholars are Sciences. between NASA and the Soviet Academy interested in the social implications of the The Moscow meetings were explora- of Sciences. use of space. tory, aimed at selecting and appraising The meeting focused on biomedical Dr. T. Stephen Cheston, associate dean joint scientific programs for the 1980s results, including the preliminary results of the graduate school and head of the that might be mutually advantageous. of the Soviet Cosmos 936 flight on which project, and two colleagues, Courtney Emphasis was on ‘fields of study that U.S. experiments were flown; a briefing Stadd and Timothy Hart, have started could take advantage of the different from the Soviets on Salyut 5/Soyuz 19 cataloguing social science articles dealing attributes represented by spacecraft such missions; and a U.S. briefing on a with space exploitation. as the U.S. Space Shuttle and the USSR Spacelab missions demonstration test. They are also considering starting a Salyut. Participants discussed forecasting man’s quarterly journal tentatively titled Space The delegates met as two working health state in weightlessness and the Humanization Review. groups; one on science and applications, research approach to studying space “We may have been a little bit chaired by Dr. Hinners, and one on motion sickness. negligent in the last three or four years,” operations, chaired by Dr. Glynn Lunney, The U.S. delegation at the formal said Puttkamer, “talking about space manager of the Shuttle payload integra- meeting was headed by Dr. David Winter, transportation systems, getting people tion and development program office at NASA director for life sciences. Dr. into space and getting the benefits of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Rufus Hessberg, director of space medi- space down to Earth without being really The two working groups will seek to cine, headed the U.S. workshop partici- too much aware of . . . the social needs.” fix upon scientific subjects for possible pants. The Soviet leader at both meetings Cheston said the study was focused on experimentation that might benefit from was Dr. Nikolai Gurovsky of the USSR the problems and possibilities of the next the flexible delivery capability and large Ministry of Health. three decades.

Studies Aimed at Microwave Solar Energy

Two studies are being conducted to determine the negative or harmful effects The microwave transmissions would But what problems would crop up with of transmitting solar energy in the form come from a proposed series of satellites these microwave transmissions? One Bat- of microwaves to earth stations, which in stationary orbits around the earth. telle study group will try to find out if would convert them into electricity. Both Solar energy, caught above the earth’s any electromagnetic or radio interference studies are being handled by Battelle atmosphere would be converted into trouble would stem from such transmis- Memorial Institute’s Pacific Northwest microwave energy on the satellites. sions. The other group will try to uncover Laboratories, Richland, WA, at the Researchers have calculated that 20 to 25 any potential harmful effects on the request of the Dept. of Energy and satellites could have provided all of the earth’s environment. All work is expected NASA. United States’ power needs in 1975. to be completed by September, 1978.

9 Salyut-6 / Soyuz-26 Joined by Soyuz-27 by Phill Parker

At 17 hrs 6 mins., Moscow time, on recorded any evidence of solar flares and Grechko had a color television camera the 11th of January, 1978, the piloted reported that the space weather was quiet with him and sent back to earth close-up Soyuz-27 spacecraft rendezvoused and for the station. Soviet biologists were also views of the docking elements and parts docked with the orbiting Salyut-6/ conducting a space experiment, called of the Salyut station. Grechko, using Soyuz-26 spacecraft to form a major “Medusa”, to do with the origin of life in special assembly, control and adjusting space complex in earth orbit. The the universe. The purpose of the experi- tools, checked around the area of the Soyuz-27 crew were Vladimir Dzhanibe- ment is to determine the changes caused transfer compartment and the docking kov and Oleg Makarov. They joined their by the spectrum of space radiations in unit, assessing the conditions of the partners in space, Grechko and Romanen- elementary living cultures. Samples are joints, guiding pins, fasteners and sealing ko, the latter having been in space for mounted on the exterior of the space surfaces for damage. However, the crew over a month at that stage. The two station while control samples are kept was able to report that the docking unit visiting cosmonauts were planning a five inside the station. Analysis of the samples was in working order. During the walk day stay at the Salyut-6 station, accord- will be carried out back on earth. the two cosmonauts also checked new ing to Soviet Union news sources. Their Meanwhile, during the first month in methods and concepts for making space own ferry vehicle, Soyuz-27, docked with orbit, life for the two cosmonauts had walks. The space walk lasted 1 hour and the hatch on the Salyut transfer compart- settled into a routine of observations and 28 minutes. ment -- which had given trouble for an experiments, after the initial excitement In a press release Professor Konstantin earlier mission, Soyuz-25, and which was of Grechko’s spacewalk on the 20th of Feoktistov (pilot cosmonaut aboard Vos- successfully checked out by the Soyuz-26 December, 1977. khod-1 in October 1964) described some crew during an EVA in December 1977. The first Soviet space walk (EVA) of the new features of Salyut-6. He noted After transferring from their Soyuz-27 from a Salyut space station took place on that the addition of a second docking vehicle, Dzhanibekov and Makarov joined the 20th of December, 1977 when Georgi port had meant some design changes. This in with Grechko and Romanenko in Grechko opened the hatch to begin his was mainly modifying the station’s toasting the historic link-up with cherry space walk to investigate the docking port propulsion plant to make room for this juice from tubes and by holding a 15 of Salyut-6. Firstly, the crew entered the second docking port. The two docking minute television session with earth. The transfer compartment and put on a new ports are identical in design and the two visiting cosmonauts brought mail type of semi-rigid, full-pressure suit, automatic link-up is the same in both from Earth, copies of ‘Pravda’, letters, checked the autonomous life-support cases. The only difference is that the books and more research equipment. regeneration equipment and then closed Salyut turns to the approaching space- Konstantin Feoktistov, commenting the hatch between the transfer and craft, depending upon which docking upon the link-up, stated that it was working compartments. The transfer port is being used. Other innovations are another step toward creating large ‘so- compartment was then fully depressur- that the thermo-regulating and attitude phisticated engineering complexes in ized. The crew worked in both illumin- control systems are now in their final terrestrial orbit’ and that these would ated and shadowed portions of the orbit. form, unlike previous missions where carry out ‘scientific and national-econom- ic tasks’. On the docking, Feoktistov commented that some people had feared that multiple docking of spacecraft might lead to ‘switching effects’, or, break-up of already docked units. However, the Soyuz-27 docking had revealed that this did not occur and the resonance experi- ment, carried out by Grechko, also confirmed that this did not take place. The Soyuz-27 vehicle had been launched at 15:26 Moscow Time on the 10th of January, 1978. Prior to the docking of Soyuz-27 with Salyut-6, the Soyuz-26 crew of Grechko and Romanenko had spent over a month in orbit. They had celebrated New Year with a fir tree and prepared a special New Year meal, as well as holding a press conference with the flight control centre. One of the flight directors, Alexei Yeliseyev noted that the operation of the ‘delta’ automatic navigation system of Salyut-6 was one of the most important engineering achievements of the flight. During the first week of the New Year, the external radiation sensors had not

10 L-5 News, March 1978 they were experimental. The space station also has a water regeneration system and an effective portable line Spacelab teletype. There are more television cameras, too. Inside, there are two black-and-white and one color, while three cameras are mounted outside. The Candidates Chosen cameras are the same as those used in the joint US/USSR Apollo/Soyuz mission. Also, more crew comforts have been On the 22nd of December 1977 the The four candidates chosen had to added, including a small folding poly- European Space Agency (ESA) announc- meet the Level II criteria used by NASA thene cabin shower unit. The instrumen- ed its candidates for the first Spacelab to select permanent mission specialists. tation has also undergone great changes mission, now scheduled for December Eight other potential candidates were making it possible to conduct more 1980. The four candiates are: rejected on medical grounds, though extensive and more advanced astrophysi- 1) Franco Malerba (age 31) -- an ESA’s Director General, Roy Gibson, said cal and biological studies as well as Italian engineer working in the computer that the selection procedure should not investigations of natural resources and field; be allowed to obscure the very high tests on new technologies. The space 2) Ulf Merbold (age 36) -- a German quality of European candidates. station is also carrying equipment for research worker at Max-Planck Institute On the first Spacelab mission about 70 monitoring the meteorite situation in the for Metallforschung; experiments will be carried out in the vicinity of Salyut-6, recording strikes by 3) Claude Nicollier (age 33) -- Swiss fields of stratospheric and upper atmos- particles weight fractions of a milligram. researcher and pilot working at ESA’s pheric physics, materials processing, space The orbit of Salyut-6 is apogee: 365 km, ESTEC; plasma physics, biology, medicine, astro- perigee: 335 km, period of revolution: 4) Wubbo Ockels (age 31) -- Dutch nomy, solar physics, earth observations, 91.4 minutes and inclination: 51.6°. physicist at Gronigen University. thermodynamics and lubrication.

SALYUT-6 STRIDES ON

by Phill Parker (LOGM) and the Payload Module (PM). quoted as from an approach rate of 0.05 to The launch of the unpiloted ferry Each unit would have fitted in the cargo 0.3 metres/second with longitudinal axes vehicle “Progress 1” by the Soviet Union bay of the Shuttle Orbiter. The overall displacement up to 0.3 meters. A misalign- on the 20th of January, 1978, to auto- docked length of the LOGM/SM/HM/PM ment of 7° was allowed for pitch, roll and matically rendezvous and dock with the would have been 30.7 meters and had a yaw and angular velocities of l°/second Salyut-6 space station was another step habitable volume of about 115 cu. meters (active role of docking craft) and 0.l°/ forward towards the creation of a per- in the combined SM/HM. The space second for a passive craft. I would suggest manent inhabited platform in space. complex would have supported up to four that similar values have been engaged for It appears that “Progress 1,” which was crew members rotated at 90 day intervals. the Progress-l spacecraft. Precise tracking launched by a standard Soyuz launch The cost for the combined SM/HM alone of the Salyut-6 spacecraft and guidance vehicle, was a highly modified Soyuz would have been $157 million for R&D and trajectory updates to Progress-l would spacecraft containing food supplies and some $197 million for production costs. have required accurate tracking by ground other technical equipment. It appears, The LOGM (ferry vehicle) would have stations and, no doubt, tracking stations at therefore, that the two cosmonauts aboard been $38 million for R&D and $29.3 major Soviet stations (like Djusali, Evpa- Salyut-6 are settling in for a long duration million for production costs. I think the toria, Ulhan-Ude, Kolpashevo and Tbsi- flight that may exceed the record 84 days in comparison of the MOF against the lisi, as well as ocean going tracking ships) space set by America’s Skylab-4 flight achieved Salyut-6/Soyuz-26/Soyuz-27/Pro- would have been used. The use of the astronauts. gress-1 mission gives an indication of the major Soviet control centre at Yevpatoria According to Soviet sources, the Salyut-6 magnitude of the achievement in capa- indicates a major stride forward in the space station with two Soyuz-type space- bility of the USSR. Admittedly, the Salyut- computing capability of the USSR for craft docked is over 30 meters long, weighs 6 and ferry vehicles (bar descent modules) space missions. (Not many years ago, they 32 tons and has a habitable volume of 100 seem irrecoverable (unlike the Shuttle/ used orreries and charts and maps, cu. meters. It is interesting to note that this MOF scheme) but, of course, if the Soviet longhand style!) matches the sizing developed in paper Union develops a space shuttle -- well, It appears, therefore, that Salyut-6 is a studies for NASA of the so-called Manned anything could happen! real, major step forward for astronautics Orbital Facility (MOF) by several aerospace During the joint USA/USSR Apollo- and brings the dream of permanent companies in America. The MOF, which Soyuz flight in 1975, the Soviet Union habitats in space that much closer. The would have taken its first flight in 1985 released some details about their Soyuz techniques of automatic ferry, rendezvous (seven years after this Soviet success!) spacecraft and launch vehicle. Although and docking, accurate tracking of multiple would have featured several modular style the present Soyuz spacecraft and the objects, and hosts of other items that will units. There would have been four units Progress-l vehicles may differ in special- be needed for space manufacturing facil- termed the Habitable Module (HM), the ized areas it was interesting to note that the ities will be much nearer due to Salyut-6. Service Module (SM), the Logistics Module automatic docking mode for a Soyuz was

11 The Cosmos-929 Enigma

by James E. Oberg nouncement usually reserved for military as launched, and docking with it. Then it Copyright 1978 All Rights Reserved spy satellites, failed interplanetary would push the component over to the Looking for puzzles in the mysterious probes, or advanced systems tests. Within assembly orbit and would gently dock it’ Soviet space program? Well, you’ve come hours, Western observers knew it was to the structure, before pulling away to to the right place. something special. Radio signals were await the next launch. How about the spectacular Salyut-6 similar to Soyuz and Salyut piloted (or Could the Cosmos-929 be a space test mission? Outside of the series of firsts in unpiloted test) vehicles; the orbit had an of this KOSMO-BUKSIR, ‘space tug- space -- double dockings, duration inclination and altitude consistent with boat’? Considering-its lifetime and velo- records, new spacesuits, orbital refuelling, piloted space hardware; and within a few city change capabilities (and the recent water recycling, etc. -- the Salyut-6 is a days, visual observations suggested that refuelling operation of Progress-l, which respectable but not really very baffling the object was of a large size, Salyut class could work just as well for a ‘space tug’), event. or larger, twenty tons. it seems the last choice open . . . and a How about the Cosmos-954 debacle? “We ran out of guesses,” complained not unlikely one. Perhaps, too, it was True, the top secret nuclear-powered one veteran amateur space watcher later. connected with an equally mysterious ocean spy satellite did fall out of orbit “First we thought it was a new model Soviet space shot in December 1976. following a malfunction the Russians Soyuz test. Then it could have been a According to Moscow, two satellites hoped the world wouldn’t notice, but secret automatic Salyut, or a broken called Cosmos-881 and Cosmos-882 were here, too, much of the mystery has Salyut, or a component of a multi-modu- launched by the same rocket and evaporated. A Soviet propaganda cam- lar Salyut. Desperately, we toyed with a completed their missions before the end paign has attempted to distract attention stuck interplanetary or lunar probe, and of the first orbit. Observers were from the satellite’s top secret mission even considered some new weapon mystified. (spotting US missile submarines in prepar- system. But in the end we were driven to The prestigious “TRW SPACELOG” ation for a Soviet nuclear surprise attack, one conclusion: it was ‘none of the annual satellite review reported that many experts postulate) and from the above”‘. Cosmos-881/882 was launched by a critical point that the Soviets tried to Cosmos-929 provided a series of subtle ‘Proton’ rocket, Russia’s biggest, and keep the nuclear nature of the vehicle clues. A month after launching, one presumably the same type which seven secret, and from all similar ‘anti-Soviet major telemetry stream ceased per- months later launched Cosmos-929. The hysteria’ (Pravda’s term, not mine). But it manently and the other changed subtly, dual nature of Cosmos-929 radio signals, turns out to have been a good exercise in still indicating a twinned or dual nature which was illustrated by its switching space law and space object recovery/anal- of its radio system. Major orbital changes from one telemetry system to another ysis. began, raising the altitude once at T+30 almost identical one every thirty minutes, Nor was the Cosmos-955 radar eaves- days and then again in December, five might be connected with the actual drop satellite much of a puzzle either. months into the mission. Then on double satellite hardware of the earlier Launched from the supersecret Pletsetsk February 1 the Cosmos, still hooting launch. But many questions remain. space center north of Moscow, last away on its constant radio channel, If indeed these two shots involved the September the midnight high lob trajec- actually lowered its orbit from a circular space tryouts of new Soviet human- tory resulted in a flurry of “jellyfish one 450 km up to an elliptical path related hardware, it will be the first new UFO” news reports from western Russia dropping to within 320 km of the earth class of vehicle in more than seven years. before Moscow realized that a security (that was the altitude of Salyut-6, but the Past practice has been to flight test a leak of giant proportions had occurred, two vehicles did not seem to be related vehicle from 18 to 36 months prior to its clamped down, issued a bald cover story since they were 75 degrees out of plane). actual piloted utilization, which would (‘reentering satellite’), and hustled the The following day, Cosmos-929 commit- put the operational assembly of a two or unfortunate cub reporter from Petroza- ted space suicide by firing its propulsion three module ‘super-Salyut’ eight-person vodsk somewhere way way east (and system yet again and plunging to its fiery space habitat in the 1979 time frame, north) of Suez (would you believe destruction above the Pacific. contemporarily with the Space Shuttle. Yakutsk?). Over the two hundred days of So the mysteries of Russia’s space No, the mystery in space last year and operation, it had used more than nine program remain, and even grow deeper. early this year was Cosmos-929. On hundred feet per second of velocity One fact is not obscure, however. The February 2 it dived back into the change. “It’s a flying gas tank!” marveled space hardware now on hand, and in atmosphere after a baffling two hundred a space radio listener in Fort Worth. various stages of flight testing (whatever day excursion that left Western observers Other hints were found in the Soviet Cosmos-881/882 and Cosmos-929 really scratching their heads, consulting their press. Two years before, a top Soviet are), demonstrate the Soviet Union’s high computers, and speculating wildly. space designer had discussed Soviet plans level commitment to permanent habita- What was Cosmos-929? What was it for the assembly of space stations from tion of near-Earth space in the immediate doing? And, most significantly, what was Salyut-sized components launched separ- future. Scheduling themselves around it a precursor practice mission for??? ately (the maximum Soviet space payload their occasional endurable setbacks, the Cosmos-929 was launched last July 17 weighs little over forty thousand pounds). Soviets are moving ahead with all the from the Tyuratam-Baikonur space center Rather than launch each section with its hardware needed for space stations. in Kazakhstan. A standard Soviet cover own rocket, power, and rendezvous/dock- There will be Russians in space not story was issued, claiming it was another ing control system, the scientist described just today and tomorrow, but from now scientific satellite aimed at the peaceful how a ‘space tugboat’ or KOSMO-BUK- on. Forever. The commitment and the exploration of outer space for science and SIR would be used. It would stay in orbit hardware are there. the national economy, a canned an- for months, seeking out each component

12 L-5 News, March 1978 Military Pilot Astronauts Defended

by Jim Oberg mentioned by Snelson: the jet experience our whole space experience has shown I’d like to make some comments about should be in high-performance jets, that piloting capability and training the issues raised by Robin Snelson fighter aircraft. Why? Because the Space makes all the difference between success- regarding selection of NASA pilot astro- Shuttle is a ‘hot’ vehicle that flies like a ful missions and failures, even tragedies. nauts. The fifteen men picked last clipped wing F-104, not like a 727. Let Hence the entirely reasonable desire to January seemed to confirm her worst me point out that no military transport have men who have flown similarly fears: all but one military pilots, and the pilots were selected -- that is an behaving vehicles for many years. And one exception an ex-Navy pilot who important point not realized by Snelson. how about test pilot work? This, too, is works for NASA. What about commercial It is a key point, too. quite relevant. Few people realize just airline pilots? What about people in (The Soviets have chosen transport how closely astronauts work with design non-military programs, such as Angela pilots among their cosmonauts, but the and planning groups in the reputation of Masson (3500 hours flying, PhD -- Soyuz does not fly like an airplane of any the mission and of the hardware itself. apparently in some branch of sociology sort -- and I hate to have to say it, but The Space Shuttle is not routine and will or political science, I should add). the two transport pilots who did fly, not be for several years. People with I want to argue that the selection Sarafanov and Zudov, just happened to experience testing and flying new aircraft, criteria are valid. It’s hard to tell people be on missions where the rendezvous/ especially those in which there is a very that they are not what is needed, when docking maneuvers were unsuccessful. I real possibility that design errors and they have wanted to be astronauts for all hasten to add that it happened to other pre-flight oversights will mean death, are their adult lives. That’s tough. They pilots too, and there is no indication of the kind needed. I do NOT believe that guessed wrong ten years ago. The key is pilot error!) commercial pilots, however safe I feel not ‘military’ duty, since commercial The argument that the Space Shuttle putting my life in their hands on travel, pilots probably have the same discipline pilot does not have to know how to fly have these qualifications. Again, sorry and commitment. The ‘test pilot’ require- such ‘hot’ aircraft because the spaceship about that, you guys and girls. Seriously, ment is justified, as well as another NOT can land automatically is a specious one: maybe next time. More on Military Shuttle Pilots by George S. Quin, Jr. After reading the article entitled First, let’s look at the background to cream of his pilot peers. His position “Astronaut Corps -- Or Space Soldiers?” Mr. Good’s statistics. NASA is under comes only through self dedication, skill in the January issue of L-5 News, I federal mandate to be an equal opportun- excellence, and their recognition by his realized that several of the points raised ity employer and has made extensive superiors. need definite clarification. efforts to recruit minorities and women. Since the Department of Defense is Mr. Good is obviously unaware that But the fact remains that few are initially scheduled to be one of NASA’s primary the Space Shuttle Program is an interna- qualified and even fewer can meet the customers, its requirements for the Space tional effort. Spacelab, being constructed necessary technical requirements even as Shuttle Program had to be met. Besides under the auspices the European Space a mission specialist. What is not men- specifying that the payload bay be large Agency (ESA), by several Western Euro- tioned is that of the twenty mission enough to accommodate a “Salyut-size pean corporations is an integral part. of specialist candidates recently selected -- object”, it also has stringent personnel the Space Shuttle Program. By agreement six are women, three are black, and one is security requirements that only active with NASA, ESA personnel will also be Japanese-American. I strongly doubt that duty military astronauts can meet. included as mission specialists and astro- even the U.S. Supreme Court would Especially when the Shuttle crew will be naut scientists in several projected mis- consider itself competent to determine handling the deployment of a high energy sions. Nor has the number of active duty personnel ratios in the astronaut corps laser ABM system, military communica- military astronauts affected NASA’s ex- because of the technically explicit nature tion/reconnaisance satellite networks, and cellent relations with the Soviet, Canadi- of the occupation. “defensive” hunter-killer satellites. In an, Japanese, or other national space NASA needs military test pilots. The theory, military involvement in space will agencies. terms “routine” and “space truck”, that reach a critical point by the late 1980’s As for public reaction to military Mr. Good is mistakenly building his legal and NASA may be right in the middle of astronauts -- when has a significant public case on, are only PR imagery words. The it because of economics. sector protested their backgrounds? In- Space Shuttle is a very complex space In 1981, the first women will graduate stead, one can’t help noticing the number vehicle (not a diesel rig!) designed to from our service academies with training of “ticker tape parade” type ceremonies operate in an extremely hostile environ- and at an expense equal to their male honoring them and the spectator packed ment (far from rescue) where mistakes classmates. Because of this, several luncheon/dinners enthusiastically applaud- are lethal. As for automatic systems and Congressmen are already working on ing these men at the conclusion of their ground control, no machine can be 100% legislation to allow women to assume popular talks. In short, our society has reliable. The Apollo 13 explosion and the combat roles, notably that of fighter idolized these men as “all-American” -- Skylab repairs are typical of the impor- pilots. Eventually this may lead to an what few boys didn’t say at one time or tance of man’s role in space. The Space “optioning” of the military test pilot another that he was going to be an Shuttle represents a multi-billion dollar requirement or its removal altogether. astronaut when he grew up? The public investment -- the taxpayers and the flight But only time and public interest groups clearly accepts their military backgrounds crew deserve the best pilots available to shall determine the future of the Ameri- as necessary and I’ll show you why for protect human lives and tax dollars. can space program and astronaut corps. pilots it is. The military test pilot represents the

13 Inside the L-5 Society L-5 WE Conference on Space Settlements & Space Annual Elections Industries -- A Note About the Proceedings on Horizon The L-5 Society (West European like to acquire the full science/technical Branch) had hoped to publish the full texts for research utilization) and a Proceedings of the Conference on Space reference to the L-5 Reports Service. It is The L-5 annual election for the Board Settlements and Space Industries that was hoped that a copy of each paper, in full, of Directors is coming up in June. If you held on the 20th of September, 1977 at will be placed with the L-5 Society HQ would like to nominate someone for the Queen Mary College, London. However, where copies could be obtained for a Board, send your choice to: Nominating the financial cost of typing, duplicating reproduction cost. It is hoped that this Committee, L-5 Society, 1620 N. Park, and distributing the full Proceedings of new plan will satisfy the requirements of Tucson, AZ 85719. Please send a resume this Conference, unfortunately, outstrips those people who eagerly await the and/or a brief writeup on why your the available funds in the Branch account. proceedings of the first L-5 Society (WE candidate should receive approval by the Various quotes for typing the estimated Branch) Conference and trust that they nominating committee. Be sure to get 100 pages plus of text would have been will understand the economic constraints your candidate’s permission to be placed from about £300 up to nearly £1,500!! placed upon the branch. in the election -- most folks look askance In view of this, the plans for publishing The Branch Director, Phillip Parker, is on being run for office without their the full text have been abandoned at this undertaking the job of typing and acquiescence! time. However, a new plan is in operation reproducing the Abstracts Report and he Who are the nominating committee? to publish an Abstracts Report that states that this is well advanced and At least three must not be current features highlights from each paper should be ready for publishing in members of the Board. If you would like (together with some commentary to place February 1978 with distribution that to serve on that committee, write in to readers in the ‘picture’ about each paper) same month. All inquiries on this matter the Board at the Tucson L-5 address and containing the text of the Keynote should be addressed to him at his home immediately, if not sooner. The Board Address (by Mr. John Disher, NASA) and address: Phillip J. Parker, AFBIS, Direc- selects the nominating committee mem- some detailed reference sources for tor, L-5 Society (WE), 40, Lamb Street, bers. further data. This latter section will Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4AL, What if your candidate is turned down feature names/addresses of the authors of England, UK. by that committee? In the past, reasons the papers (for those people who would for disapproval have focused on lack of qualification and excessive controversia- Branch Director on Quebec L-5 News lity. Their position has been that the burden lies upon the candidate to show Italian TV that he or she will benefit the Society as a Director. However, if rejected candidates The West European L-5 Society Branch Andre Fontaine recently gave a 30 insist or running, it has been past policy Director, Phillip J. Parker, did a major minute television interview on space to offer the membership list to them so television filmed interview for national colonies for CJPM-TV in the Chicoutimi they can make their own appeal. Italian television (RAI -- Radiotelevisione area (about 130 miles northeast of What does the Board do? All authority Italiana) on the 10th of January, 1978. Quebec City). A second program on the is held by it. Note in the bylaws that the The filmed interview, produced in Lon- subject will be aired shortly. L-5 President has no duties or powers don by RAI’s UK Correspondent, Sandro For more information, please contact except as assigned by the Board. The Paternostra, with a film crew lead by J. Andre Fontaine G, 1185, Avenue Board elects the President (currently John Metcalfe, was relayed to RAI’s Brown, #3, Quebec, QC, GIS 3Al. Carolyn Henson), Secretary (Carol Motts) Rome offices via the Eurovision network. and Treasurer (Bill Weigle); authorizes The filmed interview, featuring details expenditures, sets policy guidelines, de- about the L-5 Society and space colonies, Huntsville, Texas termines who can be official spokespeo- was to form a major part of a l-hour ple for the Society, and conducts the television documentary on spaceflight Chapter Formed elections. being broadcast by RAI, in Italy, on What powers do the members have? Saturday, 14th January 1978 under the A branch of the L-5 Society has been First, all Board members must receive a series titled “All About Yourself”. RAI's formed in Huntsville, Texas at Sam majority of the votes cast in the election. potential viewing audience was reported Houston State University. They call Second, any bylaw change requires to be about 50 million, since the program themselves PIIOS (pronounced pi-ose) the approval by 2/3 of the members voting. was at the peak viewing time of 5:30 p.m. Put It In Orbit Society. The president is The Board is working on some The interview with Phill Parker cen- George Bigham. proposed bylaw changes. If you would tered around describing the wheel-shaped PIIOS has already formed liasons with like a copy of the bylaws write in and we space colony (good use being made of the Austin, Texas and San Marcos, Texas will send you one! In the June issue we Phill’s space colony model!) and describ- Chapters. Current PIIOS projects include will publish the complete bylaws and ing the space shuttle (again using to good a presentation at the Quality of Life proposed changes. Do you want to effect a scale-model of the shuttle). conference, where they will field speakers propose changes? Close-up shots were taken of the models on SPS and L-5 colonies, an Earth Please note: at the request of some and these were spliced together with resources exhibit loaned to them by Tucson L-5 members a meeting was held close-up views of paintings of the NASA, as well as well as showing video last October to consider bylaw changes. NASA-produced studies of the space tapes, films and slides. However, no one showed at the meeting! colony showing interior views of a For more information. please contact Apathy’ may run rampant at times, but colony, to give a very good overall Tim Bigham, Rt. 2 Box’ 82, Huntsville, bylaws are important. concept of life in space c.2000. TX 77340. L-5 News, March 1978 14 Ann Arbor Action News from Philadelphia Lobby Vacuum The Ann Arbor L-5 group has initiated I am planning a unique promotional a monthly newsletter, The Missal. It is scheme to publicize our public lectures. It available for $3.00/year from L-5 Socie- will involve as many L5ers around the ty, Box 126 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, Phila. Pa. area as possible. We can Do you want to lobby? The L-5 MI 48109. The first issue carries articles launch an ad campaign as large as the big Society has a special fast news service on “Object Kowal” (a possible new corporations are capable of. By operating covering space related political activities planet) and hazards of exposure to on a strictly voluntary basis, those who in the United States -- the Society won’t vacuum (disarmingly titled “Outer feel that they want to help can do so at tell you what to do -- but we’ll give you Spaced”) as well as news on space action minimal cost to themselves. By acting as a the information necessary to make in Congress and local Michigan L-S group we can dissipate the costs of this intelligent decisions and take effective activities. The Missal is entertaining, far reaching ad campaign. action. informative, and carries items you won’t We here in Phila. are planning a lecture, If you want to get wired into the L-5 catch if you restrict your reading to the slide show and a movie “The Libra hot line, send in your name, address, and L-5 News. Colony” for: if you are willing to accept a collect call Marple Township Pub. Library, Spring- in an emergency, your phone number. We Maryland News field and Sproul Rds., Broomall, Pa. also would appreciate a brief essay on 19008, April 1, 1978 at 2 p.m. your qualifications and ideas on how to The Maryland Alliance for Space Phila. Pa. Central Library on the take political action as well as a history of Colonization has initiated a bisemester Parkway, Wed. May 3, 1978 at 7 p.m. any previous political activities. Please let publication, Outlook. It carries news, Frankford Y.W.C.A. 4606 Leiper St. us know if we have permission to pass articles, bibliography and local events. Phila. Pa. 19124 Sat. June 3, 1978 at 1 your name on to responsible space lobby Membership in MASC is $2 for students, p.m. groups. $5 for regular members. Please send Please choose as many or all of these to membership dues to: MASC, c/o Gary advertise as you wish. Barnhard, 4323 East-West Highway, Beth- What we want L5 members to do is to esda, MD 20014. start their own ad campaign for us on a local basis. Rack your brains and think of as many groups of people that you can Williamsburg News reach. Ads in college newspapers, high school newspapers, trade journals, local or specialized magazines, community The followine activities are scheduled newspapers, town and city newspapers, for the L-S Williamsburg, VA group: posters on billboards in churches, librar- April 3 -- “The Transition from ies, schools, offices, Y .W.C.A.‘s, Science Fiction to Reality,” with guest Y.M.C.A.'s and public places. By each of speaker Frank Kelly Freas of Virginia us advertising according to our own Beach, the dean of science fiction expertise and spending as much as each of illustrators, with a companion display of us can afford, we can reach a maximum the artist’s work, in Small 109 at 7:30. number of people and we can hope for a April 21 -- “Social Factors in Space good turnout. Humanization,” an address by Stephen An ad in most newspapers costs less Cheston, associate dean of the graduate than three dollars. A hand made poster school at Georgetown University, in costs less than forty cents. Word of Small 109 at 7:30. mouth costs nothing. Come and bring all IMPACT! your friends, lets make these shows an On six consecutive Saturday after- L5-IN. Our sheer numbers will impress noons -- March 18 and 25, April 1, 8, 15 those outsiders who attend. This will be and 22 -- the L-5 Society will sponsor your first chance to see the new Libra discussions focusing on the prospective Colony movie at a public showing. impact of space settlement in six general Admission is free. -- Richard Bowers, areas: Technology, Government and In- president; Space Futures Society, 3059 The following states have no people ternational Relations, Social Science, Cedar St., Philadelphia, PA 19134, phone receiving the L-5 Society space legislation Commerce, Education. and Philosophy. In 739-7780. hotline: Alabama, Arkansas. Delaware. special cooperation with the Departments Nebraska, New Hampshire. North Dakota, of Physics, Government, Sociology and Fellow L-5’ers. I just got through with Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, and Philosophy, and the Schools of Business reading the recently-published Space- West Virginia. and Education. Details to be announced. Based Manufacturing From Nonterrestrial It is vital that at least one person in each Contact L-5 Society, Box 1795, Williams- Materials. This is Volume 57 in the of these states take the responsibility to burg, VA 23185 for more details. American Institute of Astronautics and keep their Representatives informed of the Aeronautics series. As a member of the Previous Williamsburg L-5 activities status of SPS, space industrialization and A.I.A.A., I can get this volume at a have included talks on space colonies by utilization, and whatever bills are relevant Bill Bryant and Brian O’Leary, “Theatre reduced price ($15 vs. $23 list). If anyone to these subjects, even if only by writing of the Future: A Preview of Coming would like me to pick them up a copy letters. Often one letter from a constituent Attraction,” premiere of a multimedia (enclosed in the original plastic with presentation of the evolutionary perspec- invoice), send me a check for $15.00 plus to an uncommitted Representative is tive featuring Barbara Marx Hubbard, a couple of bucks for postage depending enough to swing a vote. You may influence co-founder of the Committee for the on where you live [ask the post office]. the course of history! To get on the hot Future, and a lecture on the space shuttle My address is: Elliot R. Royce, 86 line, write to Marc Boone, L-5 Society, by Lester B. Taylor. Rowayton Ave., Rowayton, Ct. 06853. 1620 N. Park Ave.. Tucson, AZ 85719).

15 policy would only be fair. Besides that, a tacting Congressional or other legislative lot of stockholders on the scene might personnel, we should represent ourselves keep down cost (after all, it’s your as individuals, not as L-S Society dividend). Some of the most successful members. I suspect that this is more companies, such as Sears, are largely effective as well as more appropriate. employee owned. We needn’t worry Second, a concise list of your Congress- Private Enterprise about only rich people going into space, people is available from most Federal because there aren’t that many millionare Information Centers, which are listed in Boosters welders (or gardeners, or cooks). One the phone book under U.S. Government. NASA official held (at the ‘75 SMF By calling and asking for a copy, you’ll conference) that space workers would be receive a mimeographed mailing and One comment on December’s issue. hard to find. He was taken to task by a avoid having to get the information on Lutz Kayser of OTRAG and Christian O. future L-S member who thought the the phone. Be sure to ask what district Basler have the right idea when it comes problem would be prospective workers you live in if you don’t know; the lists to space industrialization. With the world bribing the selection committee. Bribe cover fairly large areas and thus may have caught up in the energy crisis -- rich U.S. early, buy a share of the FAR OUT more than one Representative. The lists poor nation competition, most govern- Company. appear to be available from many Federal ments are unable to afford or unwilling to H.T. Watcher Information Centers; they apparently get consider the possibility of energy from Tucson, AZ this question often enough to justify space, except as a long term alternative, mailing it out. safely booked beyond the year 2000. My As an L-5 Society member, I encourage suggestion to Christian Basler is to Lobby Comments the L-5 News to continue their excellent investigate what products could be coverage of events surrounding space- competitively produced in space (as a related decisions in government. As an first step) and by that I don’t mean Being a Texan, I am “frontier orient- individual, I urge all readers to lobby the taking Ultra-Brite up on the shuttle, then ed.” Having been involved in large realty hell out of their Congresspeople! advertising it as the toothpaste that flew projects with their energy systems, capital Strive for L-5 in orbit. Once the staging company has a costs, and expenses, I know firsthand of Jay Vivian product line, capital could be secured to the certain-future industrial breakdown if Boston, MA build the plant. A private enterprise new, environmentally acceptable, per- approach is the only way space industri- manent energy resources are not found. They’re killing the goose that laid the alization will happen within the next 20 Having oil & gas properties, I knew golden eggs. That was my first impression years. firsthand about “depletion.” Nothing is at seeing details of the $4.371-billion James Kempf so graphic as having monthly checks NASA budget request for Fiscal 1979. Tucson, AZ decline, then stop coming (sorry, all The 8% increase in NASA funding over gone). So, the SPS alone has immediate Fiscal 1978 has been eaten up by an 8% and great appeal. But further, I’m sold inflation rate, leaving the Space Agency I believe that space colonization is a that SPACE IS THE NEW ECONOMIC with no overall growth in capability. perfect solution the world’s biggest FRONTIER. We (the U.S., the West in Among other things, NASA is limited problem: government control over the particular) must develop as quickly as to the same number of employees it lives of individuals such as taxes, possible the capability for working, living already has. The Office of Management victimless crime laws, and business and operating in this vast, new, enor- and Budget (OMB) has reduced funds regulatory bureaucracy. Once we colonize mously rich environment. available for earth resources and com- space, it will be impossible for a Politically, to get it done we in L-S munications supporting R & D. The government to exercise control over the must stress heavily the economic and Carter Administration has cut advance entire surface of a sphere with a radius of resources potential of space. Personally, I planning funds for space transportation 93,000,000 miles, not to mention the fully support the “human adventure” systems, large space structures, and asteroid belt. For the first time in history, aspect. But the nation is not about to advanced manned flight systems. Accord- we will have a true laisse faire market fund a costly “subdivisions in space” ing to Aviation Week & Space Technolo- place where all trades are decided solely adventure for a select group of fairly well gy (Jan. 30, 1978), “NASA officials between the buyer and seller. Its only skilled and educated adventurers -- not in believe the Administration. is concerned cost will be 8 billion dollars per year for an era when capital formation is certain that too active advance planning in these twenty years to the American taxpayers. to be our greatest economic problem. We areas could lead to future requests for When it begins to turn a profit, each of must emphasize that space is the new larger programs in space such as manned the taxpayers can be given a share of ECONOMIC frontier for energy and platforms or even a U.S. space station.” stock in the company to make it into a resources, and that the nation can ill Read that last sentence over a few times private corporation, just as economist afford NOT to do it. We must develop the and grok its implications. . . Milton Friedmann proposed to do with capability to exploit this new frontier as Gone from FY’79 are the Lunar Polar government corporations today. an essential condition of underwriting our Orbiter, Mars 1984 Viking Rover, Michael M. Doty common, universal future and preserva- Halley’s Comet Rendezvous/fly-by, and Houston, Texas tion of Western democratic civilizations. funding for the fifth Space Shuttle Sam Dunnam Orbiter. Orbiter 101, the “Enterprise,” Austin, TX will remain a “hangar queen.” I have a suggestion for those who may There will be several new space craft be thinking in terms of a non-govern- I commend the L-5 News for the starts in Fiscal 1979, including the mental space industry/colony. Policy several excellent articles in the last few NASA/ESA Solar-polar out-of-ecliptic should be that, provided the applicants issues which discussed lobbying, and missions. There is a sizeable increase in were qualified, job preference would go would like to make two additional the Office of Aeronautics and Space to stockholders on the basis of number of comments. First, as a non-profit corpora- Technology research and technology shares owned and length of time held. If tion, the L-5 Society is prohibited from. base; however, many of the increases in we have to dig into our own pockets to substantial efforts “attempting to influ- NASA’s FY’79 budget are the results of finance the chance to go into space, this ence legislation”. Therefore, when con- funding peaks in on-going programs such

16 L-5 News, March 1978 as the Space Shuttle, Large Space hands will read that with amusement. Let’s get someone clearly on the other Telescope, and Jupiter Orbiter Probe. Fusion was first funded in the early side of the political spectrum to become a The Carter Space budget request is the 1950’s. By the late 1950’s it was at about board member too! (Jerry Brown?) If the action that speaks louder than words. It is $30 million per year -- and there it public associates our goals only with barely adequate to support on-going stayed, for some fifteen years. I recall a people like Goldwater & Heinlein we may programs and is dangerously lacking in 1971 review in Scientific American, in be cutting our own throats. We must long-range goals. NASA FY’79, as pro- which the author stated that fusion was stress that benefits from space help posed by the Carter Administration, is a to get only $38 million, and wistfully everyone, and that ordinary terrestrial prime example of “penny-wise, pound- hoped that more would come. political affiliations do not define. the foolish,” and should be increased if at all The difference is that late in 1971, ideological scope of the utilization of possible (Hint: the President proposes; fusion proponents had become sufficient- space. Congress disposes. Have you told your ly secure in their understanding that they Jon Coopersmith elected representatives what you think were able to go and request more -- Point Pleasant, PA yet?). which they soon got. So this fact, that The FY’79 Space Program proposed by fusion funding increased tenfold in a few Space Colonies Make Carter represents less than 1% of his years, should give SPS proponents hope. record-breaking budget of 500 billion Do not despair. Your time will come. Strange Bedfellows? dollars, a drop in the Federal bucket. T.A. Heppenheimer Those of us who want to see an expanded Heidelberg, West Germany In general I find the L-5 News great. Space Program had better start doing But please forgive me the statement that I something about it. If we don’t, who A note or two on the contents of the always felt uncomfortable whenever Tim- will? Dec. issue of L-5 News. First of all, I othy Leary appeared on the pages, and Robert G. Lovell, Jr. think that the remaining Shuttle Orbiters just 10 minutes ago I first was shocked Shawnee, Kansas ought to be named for the cosmonauts and then got mad at the nonsense T. and astronauts that been killed to date in Leary is writing in “The Psychological In the Letters column of November, operations. The Kamarov, and perhaps Effects of High Orbital Migration” (L-5 Robert Lovell suggested that the budget- the Grissom. Or perhaps, to take a News, Sept. 1977, pg. 18). I have lived in cutting “enemies of space” would be out different tack, the Goddard and the Von the U.S. for two years and in South to “get” NASA. I don’t think that’ll Braun. The Oberth, so on. America for three years, and know from happen. Any member of Congress knows Secondly, I find the labeling of Senator my own personal experience that T. that losing on controversial issues is Proxmire as ‘Darth’ appalling. This is the Leary’s arrogant characterization of the something that happens all the time; you same thing, if you will recall, that the South American individual and social take your defeats gracefully and try again Nixon administration fell into, and that character is quite wrong. There are people next time. NASA has its share of critics, caused its excesses of power: the who would even name quite a number of but there are few if any in Congress who identification of a differing political view reasons why one should exchange several are so strongly opposed to its mission as the posture of an enemy rather than an characterizations between 1 and 2. that they would be called “enemies”. adversary. Senator Proxmire is a man to Please do not put Gerry O’Neill in True, Sen. Proxmire is one if anyone is. be opposed, but not ‘fought.’ He is not company with Timothy Leary. O’Neill But he’s just one Senator. And even the enemy, but he is most certainly the and space colonization deserve better. though he chairs the committee with opposition. One can be opposed to Prof. R. Kummel oversight responsibility for NASA’s bud- something and not be an evil person; Universitat Wurzburg get, there are enough friends of NASA on perhaps merely a misguided and short- West Germany that committee to prevail. He’s headed sighted person, but not evil per se! If we, that committee for several years now, and as space enthusiasts, expect to operate A quick scan through the letters has had more bark than bite. successfully in the political arena (as we section in this and past issues shows that The December issue also carried a must if we expect to obtain a more the L-5 News often has carried articles description of forthcoming SPS research, expanded space program) it behooves us that members have disagreed with. If we noting that it will receive $19.5 million to do so with some manners and a were to restrict the contents of the L-5 over the next four years, “compared with modicum of decorum. News to items on which everyone is sure fusion research at $400 million next Tim Kyger to agree. it would be far shorter, and year”. Those of us who are old fusion Dayton, OH certainly less interesting -- CH.

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