Aeronautics and Space Report of the President r973 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 1973 A c tivities National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, D.C. 20546 President’s Message of Transmittal To the Congress of the United States: the European Space Conference has agreed to con- struct a space laboratory-Spacelab-for use with the I am pleased to transmit this report on our Nation’s Shuttle. progress in aeronautics and space activities during Notable progress has also been made with the Soviet 1973. Union in preparing the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project This year has been particularly significant in that scheduled for 1975. We are continuing to cooperate many past efforts to apply the benefits of space tech- with other nations in space activities and sharing of nology and information to the solution of problems on scientific information. These efforts contribute to global Earth are now coming to fruition. Experimental data peace and prosperity. from the manned Skylab station and the unmanned While we stress the use of current technology to solve Earth Resources Technology Satellite are already being current problems, we are employing unmanned space- used operationally for resource discovery and manage- craft to stimulate further advances in technology and ment, environmental information, land use planning, to obtain knowledge that can aid us in solving future and other applications. problems. Pioneer 10 gave us our first closeup glimpse Communications satellites have become one of the of Jupiter and transmitted data which will enhance principal methods of international communication our knowledge of Jupiter, the solar system, and ulti- and are an important factor in meeting national de- mately our own planet. The spacecraft took almost two fense needs. They will also add another dimension to years to make the trip. It has traveled over 94,000 miles our domestic telecommunications systems when the per hour-faster than any other man-made object- first of four authorized domestic satellite systems is and will become the first man-made object to leave our launched in 1974. Similarly, weather satellites are now solar system and enter the distant reaches of space. our chief source of synoptic global and local weather Advances in military aircraft technology contribute data. Efforts are continuing to develop capabilities for to our ability to defend our Nation. In civil aeronautics, worldwide two-week weather forecasts by the begin- the principal research efforts have been aimed at re- ning of the next decade. The use of satellites for effi- ducing congestion and producing quieter, safer, more cient and safe routing of civilian and military ships and economical and efficient aircraft which will conserve airplanes is being studied. Demonstration programs are energy and have a minimum impact on our environ- now underway aimed at improving our health and ment. education delivery systems using space-age techniques. It is with considerable satisfaction that I submit this Skylab has given us new information on the energy report of our ongoing efforts in space and aeronautics, characteristics of our sun. This knowledge should help efforts which help not only our own country but other our understanding of thermo-nuclear processes and nations and peoples as well. We are now beginning to contribute to the future development of new energy harvest the benefits of our past hard work and invest- sources. Knowledge of these processes may also help ments, and we can anticipate new operational services us understand the sun’s effect on our planet. based on aerospace technology to be made available Skylab has proven that man can effectively work and for the public good in the years ahead on a routine live in space for extended periods of time. Experiments basis. in space manufacturing may also lead to new and im- proved materials for use on Earth. The WHITEHOUSE, Development of the reusable Space Shuttle Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-four. progressed during 1973. The Shuttle will reduce the costs of space activity by providing an efficient, eco- nomical means of launching, servicing and retrieving space payloads. Recognithg the Shuttle’s importance, iii Table of Contents Page Page I . U.S. Aeronautics and Space Activitiesin 1973 . 1 XI1 . United States Information Agency-Continued Introduction .... 1 Motion Pictures and Television .......... 83 1 88 4 89~~ 7 XI11 . National Science Foundatio ......... 91 9 Introduction ........... 91 9 91 10 92 14 93 20 93 28 94 39 94 40 94 42 42 emy of Engineering, National Research 43 Council ................................ 95.. 43 Introduction .......................... 95 Space Activities .............. 44 Space Science Board .... 95 Space Ground Support ................. 46 96 Aeronautical Activities ................. 46 96 Supporting Research and Development ... 48 96 Relationship With NASA ...... 50 97 53 Commission on Natural Resources ....... 97 53 Division of Earth Sciences .............. 97 53 Division of Chemistry and Chemical Nuclear Propulsion Program Termination . 54 ..................... 98 Isotopic Heat for Spacecraft Thermal Division of Engineering ................ 98 Functions .......................... 55 Division of Physical Sciences ... 98 VI . Department of State .............. 57 Office of Scientific Personnel ............ 99 Introduction .......................... 57 XV. The Smithsonian Institution ................ 101 Activities Within the United Nations .. 57 Introduction .... 101 International Cooperation .............. 58 Smithsonian Astr ...101 Satellite Services ...................... 59 National Museum of Natural History ..... 103 Support to Federal Agencies ............ 60 National Air and Space Museum ........ 103 VI1. Department of Transportation . 61 Center for Short-Lived Phenomena ...... 103 Introduction ............. 61 XVI . Office of Telecommunications Policy ......... 105 Air Traffic Control and Navigation ...... 61 Introduction .... .... 105 Use of Satellites in Air and Water TrafFic Aerosat .............................. 105 Control ............................ 64 Direct Broadcast Satellites .............. 105 Aviation Safety Research and DeveloD- ............. 105 ment .............................. 65 106 Environmental Programs ............... 66 Satellite Launch Insurance ...... 106 Energy .............................. 67 107 Aerospace Technology Utilization ....... 67 107 VI11. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency ...... 69 107 Specialized Satellite Services ............ 108 IX. Department of the Interior ................. 71 111 Introduction .......................... 71.. Introduction .......................... 111 ......... 71 Aeronautics .......................... 111 73 112 76 .............. 113 77 77 Remote Sensing and Space Activities ..... 77 Append ixes Other Activities ....................... 78 A.1 . U.S. Spacecraft Record .................... 115 XI . Department of Commerce ........... 79 A-2 . World Record of Space Launchings Successful Introduction .......................... 79 in Attaining Earth Orbit or Beyond ........ 115 Use of Satellites in Environmental Moni- A-3 . Successful U.S. Launches-1973 ............. 116 toring and Prediction ................ 79 B . US. Applications Satellites, 1958-73 ......... 122 Other Satellite and Space Applications ... 82 C. History of United States and Soviet Manned 82 Space Flights ........................... 126 83 D . U.S. Space Launch Vehicles ................ 128 84 E . Nuclear Power Systems for Space Application . 129 85 F-1 . Space Activities of the U.S. Government ...... 130 XI1. United States Informat 87 U.S. Space Budget-New Obligational Author- Introduction ..... 87 ity .................................... 130 Radio ............................... 87 F-2 . Space Activities Budget .................... 131 Press and Publications ... 87 Aeronautics Budget. ....................... 131 V Benefits From Space Space provides a unique vantage point, a unique base for operations and a unique environment. Each of these elements has been employed as a basis for Earth applications. Mineral and Energy Exploration For example, the unique capability provided by satellite imagery for detecting large scale geological features not readily detectable by any other known means, makes such imagery particularly applicable for mineral and energy exploration. Thus, in a Northern Alaska area where petroleum exploration was not cur- rently underway, this Earth Resources Survey Satellite imagery identified geological trends which may indi- cate substantially larger oil reserves than previously assumed. Space Processing The unique zero gravity environment of space is now being explored for the processing and pioneering of materials and products that we have thus far been unable to produce on Earth due to effects induced by gravity. The picture on the left is that of an Indium- Antimonide Crystal that was grown to near chemical perfection aboard Skylab 3. These first experiments show the way to process more complex and important materials in space. For example, manufacture on Earth of integrated circuits for computers and other elec- tronic devices has been hindered by the poor yield of acceptable quality electronic crystals. Structurally and chemically more perfect crystals could substantially widen their use. I United States Aeronautics and Space Activities in 1973 Introduction