Aeronautics and Space Report of the President
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Aeronautics and Space Report of the President 1971 Activities NOTE TO READERS: ALL PRINTED PAGES ARE INCLUDED, UNNUMBERED BLANK PAGES DURING SCANNING AND QUALITY CONTROL CHECK HAVE BEEN DELETED Aeronautics and Space Report of the President 197 I Activities i W Executive Office of the President National Aeronautics and Space Council Washington, D.C. 20502 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE OF TRANSMITTAL To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit herewith a report of our national progress in aero- nautics and space activities during 1971. This report shows that we have made forward strides toward each of the six objectives which I set forth for a balanced space program in my statement of March 7, 1970. Aided by the improvements we have made in mobility, our explorers on the moon last summer produced new, exciting and useful evidence on the structure and origin of the moon. Several phenomena which they uncovered are now under study. Our unmanned nearby observation of Mars is similarly valuable and significant for the advancement of science. During 1971, we gave added emphasis to aeronautics activities which contribute substantially to improved travel conditions, safety and security, and we gained in- creasing recognition that space and aeronautical research serves in many ways to keep us in the forefront of man’s technological achievements. There can be little doubt that the investments we are now making in explora- tions of the unknown are but a prelude to the accomplishments of mankind in future generations. THEWHITE HOUSE, March 1972 iii Table of Contents Page Page I . Progress Toward U.S. Aeronautics and Space XI. Department of Commerce................... 75 Goals in 1971 ............................ 1 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra- Introduction ............................... 1 tion ........................ 75 Continued Exploration of the Moon ........... 2 office of Telecommunications.... 85 Exploration of the Planets and the Universe .... 2 Maritime Administration ................ 86 Substantial Reduction in the Cost of Space National Bureau of Standards ............ 86 Operations ............................... 3 XI1. United States Information Agency ........ 89 Extension of Man's Capability To Live and Radio .................................... 90 Work in Space ........................... 3 Press and Publications...................... 90 Practical Ap lications of Space Technology ..... 4 Information Centers and Exhibits ............ 91 International'cooperation .................... 6 XI11. National Science Foundation ................ 92 Aeronautics ................................ 6 XIV. National Academy of Sciences, National Acad- Conclusion ................................ 8 emy of Engineering, National Research I1. National Aeronautics and Space Council ....... 8 council ................................. 96 Studies and Reports ......................... 8 Space Science Board ........................ 96 111 . National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 9 Aeronautics and Space Engineering Boar 97 Manned Space Flight ....................... 10 Division of Behavioral Sciences ......... 97 Space Science and Applications ............... 17 Division of Earth Sciences ............. 97 Advanced Research and Technology ........... 25 Division of Engineering ..................... 98 Tracking and Data Acquisition ............... 38 Division of Physical Sciences ................. 98 International Affairs........................ 41 XV. The Smithsonian Institution ................. 100 Affairs ............................ 43 Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.... 101~~~ ?:ExT Utilization ...................... 44 National Museum of Natural History ......... 102 Relations ips With Other Government Agencies . 45 Center for Short-Lived Phenomena ........... 102 IV. Department of Defense ...................... 46 National Air and Space Museum ....... 102 Space Ac tivities............................. 47 XVI . Office of Telecommunications Policy ... 103 Space Ground Support ...................... 49 XVII . Federal Communications Commission ......... 104 Communication Satellites ............. 104 Aeronautics Activities ....................... 49~~ Supporting Research and Technology .......... 52 Radio Astronomy and Space Services ... 105 Relationship With Other Government Agencies . 55 Aeronautical Services ................. 105 V Atomic Energy Commission Maritime Mobile Service.................... 106 . .................. 56 106 Space Electric Power ........................ 56 Amateur Radio Service ..................... Nuclear Rocket Program ..................... 57 Satellite-Based Detection of Nuclear Explosions Appendixes in Space and the Atmosphere ............... 58 A-1 . U.S. Spacecraft Record ..................... 107 VI . Department of State ......................... 58 Supporting Activities ........................ 58 107 VI1. Department of Transportation ................ 62 108 Aviation Safety ............................. 64 116 Air Traffic Control .......................... 64 B. U.S. Applications Satellites, 1958-71 .......... 116 Navigation and Communication .............. 65 C . History of United States and Soviet Manned Apphcations of Space Technology ............. 65 Space FliKhts ............................ 120 VI11. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency ....... 66 D-1 . U.S. Space aunch Vehicles ................. 122 IX. Department of the Interior ................... 67 D-2 . U.S. Successful Launches to Earth Orbit or Be- Aeronautics ................................ 67 yond by Launch Vehicle. 1958-71 .......... 123 Space ..................................... 68 E. Nuclear Power Systems for S ace Application . 123 International Cooperation F-1 . Space Activities of the U.S. 8overnment ...... 124 ................... 71 U.S. Space Budget-New Obligational Author- X . Department of Agriculture ................... 72 ity (chart) ............................... 124 Remote Sensing Program .................... 72 F-2 . Space Activities Budget ..................... 125 International Cooperation ................... 74 Aeronautics Budget ......................... 125 V Progress Toward U.S. Aeronautics and Space in 1971 I Goals Introduction invest substantial resources in space activity: the na- tional thrust to explore the unknown, the desire to The United States has traditionally been, and continues acquire new knowledge, and the realization that space to be, a leader in the world’s aeronautics and space activity has practical and widely-beneficial applica- activities. In large part, this leadership derives from the tions. Space is increasingly coming to be seen as an fact that those activities manifest some very basic arena of human activity, rather than national activity, American characteristics. Americans are pioneers and and therefore a particularly congenial focus for coop- explorers, and space offers the most exciting and most erative undertakings that bring the peoples of the challenging frontier yet left to explore. Americans are world together. competitive people, but people who prefer to compete Six specific Objectives for the U.S.space program, by being successful in activities which benefit mankind, derived from these purposes, have been established. not threaten it. Space competition in the sixties resulted These are : in achievements and capabilities which reflected U.S. 1. continued exploration of the moon; preeminence, but which also have provided benefits, 2. exploration of the planets and the universe; both tangible and intangible, to many throughout the 3. substantial reductions in the cost of space world. Continued US efforts to develop the most ad- operations ; vanced air transports and aeronautical vehicles rep- 4. extension of man’s capability to live and work resents a similar pattern of beneficial competition in space ; which contributes to the quality of life we need and 5. expansion of the practical applications of space enjoy. Americans are practical people, and increas- technology; ingly they are coming to realize that their national 6. greater international cooperation. investment in space and aeronautics has already pro- duced payoffs, in terms of national security, economic This chapter reviews activity in the United States space growth, and an increased quality of life, which justify program in 1971 in terms of progress towards achieving the costs of obtaining them. these six objectives. The past year saw many successes for the United In aeronautics, the most important event of the year States in its aeronautics and space activitieeperhaps was probably the decision to discontinue support for most dramatically, the continuation of manned explo- the supersonic transport. Other elements of aero- ration of the moon after a 14-month interim and the nautical activity during the year included the comple- unmanned reconnaissance of the planet Mars. Inter- tion of a broad study delineating the needs of future national involvement in the U.S. space program in- civil air transport systems and increasing emphasis on creased substantially. The year also saw a national the development of an efficient and environmentally decision to discontinue support for the development of sound air transport system for short distance flights. an American supersonic transport. Military aeronautics programs aimed at providing The United States is proceeding into this decade modern strategic and tactical capabilities continued. with clearly-defined goals and objectives for its civilian Involvement