S961 S3111A113V 33VdS [INV S311nVNOtHV S31VlS a311Nn NOTE TO READERS: ALL PRINTED PAGES ARE INCLUDED, UNNUMBERED BLANK PAGES DURING SCANNING AND QUALITY CONTROL CHECK HAVE BEEN DELETED EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL WASHING TON, D. C. 20j0 2 TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES The record of American accomplishments in aeronautics and space during 1965 shows it to have been the most successful year in our history. More spacecraft were orbited than in any previous year. Five manned GEMINI flights were successfully launched. Our astronauts spent more hours in space than were flown by all of our manned spacecraft until 1965. Ten astronauts logged a total of 1297 hours 42 minutes in space. The five manned flights successfully achieved included a walk in space, and the first rendezvous between two manned spacecrafts. A scientific spacecraft completed a 325-million-mile, 228 -day trip to Mars. MARINER 4 thereby gave mankind its first close-up view of another planet. The RANGER series, begun in 1961, reached its zenith with two trips to the moon that yielded 13, 000 close-up pictures of that planet. The entire RANGER series produced 17,000 photographs of the moon's surface which are being studied now by experts throughout the world. Equally important were the contributions of our space program to life here on earth. Launching of EARLY BIRD, the fir st commer cia1 communication satellite brought us measurably closer to the goal of instantaneous communication between all points on the globe. Research and development in our space program continued to speed progress in medicine, in weather prediction, in electronics -- and, indeed, in vir- tually every aspect of American science and technology. As our space program continues, the impact of its developments on everyday life becomes daily more evident. It continues to stimulate our education, improve our material well-being, and broaden the horizons of knowledge. It is also a powerful force for peace. The space program of the United States today is the largest effort ever undertaken by any nation to advance the frontiers of human knowledge. What we are discover- ing and building today will help solve many of the great problems which an increas- ingly complex and heavily-populated world will face tomor row. The year 1965 -- the year of GEMINI, RANGER, and MARINER -- is a brilliant preface to the coming years of APOLLO, stations in space, and voyages to the planets. I have great pride and pleasure in transmitting this remarkable record to the Congress that, through its enthusiastic support, has made possible. THE WHITE HOUSE January 31, 1966 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter I U . S . Aeronautics and Space Activities .. 1965 Summary ............. 1 Chapter 11 National Aeronautics and Space Coancil . 5 Chapter I11 National Aeronautics and Space ....... Ad mini s tr ati on ............. 9 Chapter IV Department of Defense ........... 49 Chapter V Atomic Energy Commission ........ 69 Chapter VI Department of State ............. 75 Chapter VI1 National Science Fo-indation ........ 81 Chapter VIII Department of Commerce .......... 85 Chapter IX Space Science Board ............ 97 Chapter X Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory . 103 Chapter XI Federal Aviation Agency ......... 107 Chapter XI1 Federal Communications Commission ... 117 Chapter XI11 United States Information Agency ..... 121 Chapter XIV Arms Control and Disarmament Agancy . 127 Appendix A-1 U .S . Lalinching Record (Chart) ...... 129 Appendix A-2 U.S. Launching Record (Table) ...... 130 Appendix A-3 Successful U.S. Launches - 1965 ..... 131 Appendix B SXAP Radioisotopic Electric Power Units for Space ............ 161 Appendix C Listing of Major Space "Firsts" Achieved by the U .S . and the U . S .S.R. ..... 162 Appendix D U .S . Space Launch Vehicles ........ 164 Appendix E-1 Historical Summary and FY 1966 Budget Recommendations (New Obligational Au th or it y ) ............... 166 Appendix E-2 Historical Summary and FY 1966 Budget Recommendations (Expenditures) ... 167 Appendix E-3 Space Activities Budget ........... 168 Index ........................ 169 CHAPTER I U. S. AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACTIVITIES 1965 SUMMARY The record of 1965 revealed the highest point yet reached in this Nation's upward trend of space accomplishment over the past eight years. The largest number of spacecraft was successfully orbited; the Moon and Mars were photographed at close range; manned flight activities reached new peaks; space competence was increas - ingly devoted to providing immediate benefits for mankind; our national security was augmented; and the technological, scientific, and managerial capabilities of the Nation were enhanced. It will be indeed a challenge to guide the country during 1966 to levels of space progress which will exceed or even equal those attained in 1965. In manned space flight, the year was particularly impressive. Five manned GEMINI spacecraft were put into orbit by TITAN I1 launch vehicles, as the United States flew more manned hours in space than had been flown by Soviet spacecraft throughout the history of their program and by U.S. spacecraft up until 1965. In addition to these long-duration flights, highlights of the manned space flight program for the year were the extra-vehicular activity and the rendezvous of two GEMINI vehicies in space. Progress in the APOLLO project gave encouraging indications that the schedule for this major achievement would be met. Also, in 1965, the President announced the decision to move forward with the development, testing, and flight of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) and assigned the responsibility for that project to the Department of Defense. The record for the year shows important progress with a variety of unmanned scientific spacecraft flights. RANGER spacecraft televised to Earth some 13, 000 photographs, which, when added to the pictures taken in 1964, gave this country more than 17,000 photographs of the Moon's surface and furnished significant new 1 knowledge of the lunar environment. MARINER completed a 325 million mile trip during a 228-day journey to Mars and returned the first close-up photographs of its surface and provided much new scientific information on that planet. Three PEGASUS satellites were launched during the year and have returned useful informa- tion regarding the intensity and number of meteoroid impacts. The second Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) was orbited with six experiments operating successfully, the second Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO) was orbited, and the PIONEER satellite reported new data from interplanetary space. The first commercial satellite (EARLY BIRD) was put into synchronous orbit for the Communications Satellite Corporation. Also, effective application of space knowledge was continued with an expansion of our weather satellite system (TIROS), navigational satellite system, geodetic satellites and nuclear explosion detection satellite system (VELA). The program of the SATURN I, with its 1-1/2 million pounds of thrust, was com- pleted with ten successful launches in ten attempts. Ground tests progressed for the more powerful SATURN IB and the SATURN V launch vehicles, while a major development took place on schedule with three successful launches of the 2.4 mil- lion pound thrust TITAN IIIC rocket. Encouraging progress in the testing of the NERVA nuclear reactors was made, and initial testing was successful for the more advanced PHOEBUS nuclear reactor. Another propulsion milestone was reached with the ground test firing of the world's largest solid propellant rocket motor when 3. 5 million pounds of thrust was attained from the 260-inch engine. Also, the first nuclear space reactor (SNAP 10A) was orbited and produced practical evidence of the potential of atomic power as an energy source in space. Cooperation with other nations in space progress continued during the year. The ALOUETTE was orbited for Canada and the FR-1 for the French. These were part of a growing program of international cooperation in space which includes mutually beneficial relations with about 70 nations. The space program became an even more effective arm of foreign policy when experienced astronauts were sent on educational and goodwill visits to a number of nations around the world. Particu- larly important was a decision announced by the President that efforts would be undertaken by high-level officials to expand cooperative space activities with nations in Europe. The past year saw the realization of efforts to accelerate research, development, and initial operational use of a variety of aircraft for both civil and military applications. Advanced aeronautical research activities resulted in new world speed and altitude records by the United States, as well as the accumulation of much useful data on hypersonic flight. Valuable experience continued to accumulate through flights of the XB70s. An expanded effort in V/STOL aircraft development brought the potential application of this very useful aircraft type much closer to fruition. Significant advances took place in the field of large transport planes through design refinement and wind-tunnel testing of the supersonic transport con- cept and the decision to build the huge new C-5A military transport aircraft. Parallel development of a civil version of the C-5A and the supersonic transports can form the basis for great advances in the large scale use of the airplane for the long-range transportation of peoples and goods. While the United States was building an impressive record as it orbited more space- craft than any other nation, the U. s. s. R. was far from idle. In fact, during the 2 year, that nation almost doubled its earth-orbiting activities over the previous year compared with a 36% increase for the United States. The Soviets also showed their determination to speed their space program as they more than doubled the U. S. activity in lunar and planetary exploration during the year. Among the many major accomplishments by the United States during 1965 were the following: . .. The five successful manned GEMINI flights produced a number of major achievements, such as the first U.