The success of this country in developing greater booster capability was made possible by technology developed in the early and mid-fifties by the military and by the NACA, predecessor of NASA. At present, we have a large range of booster capability-from the 150 lbs in orbit of Scout to the almost 100,000 lbs Saturn V can launch into a trajectory to the Moon. We must, however, continue technology for improved and more economical boosters and for boosters with greater payloads than Saturn V. Thus we see as future possibilities, Figure 279, recoverable type boosters, perhaps with airbreathing engines, that will use the same technology as that developed for hypersonic transports previously mentioned.

Other future booster concepts might use recoverable advanced liquid rocket engines in the upper stages and economical expendable solid boosters in the first stages. A more near-term possibility is a large solid rocket first stage coupled with the existing Saturn SIVB upper stage. This combination will carry payloads between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds in near-Earth orbit. Other possible configurations include a hydrogen-oxygen "core" stage with large solid rockets strapped to it for added take-off thrust.

Nuclear rocket stages offer a very attractive means for either greatly uprating the Saturn V vehicle in the future or for launching a very large manned planetary spacecraft from Earth orbit and providing propulsion for later phases of the flight. Solid-core nuclear rocket technology has reached the point where engine development can be initiated to take advantage of this great step forward in propulsion.

Spacecraft

There are many possibilities in spacecraft technology for extending our capabilities to explore the universe, Figure 280. We are examining the possibility of using a solar powered electric thrustor in a trajectory which makes use of gravitational fields of planets to send a probe on a long journey by a number of

In preparing for the exploration of Mars and Venus, it will be advantageous to use their atmosphere for deceleration of the landing spacecraft. We envision spacecraft that first enter with a large decelerator and shield for initial deceleration, the use of parachutes for intermediate deceleration, and finally rocket power for final maneuvering and touchdown.

One of the greatest opportunities for exploration of the nature of the universe is through space astronomy. By placing optical and radio telescopes above the absorption mantle of the Earth's atmosphere, man will have powerful tools for studying stars, star systems, nebulae, and planets. A manned optical telescope wih an aperture of 120 inches or more, and sensitive to radiation at wave lengths between 800 Angstroms and 1 millimeter can be possible through research and technology development. A major problem is to achieve a very high pointing accuracy-values of 0.01 arc seconds for periods of 24 hours is considered as a goal. This is analogous to a telescope in Washington pointing to within an 8inch circle in San Francisco.

Radio telescopes in space as large as 20 kilometers (over 10 miles) have been suggested as a goal by the National Academy of Sciences and there is a great need for more technology for such large space structure.

Orbiting research laboratories offer the opportunity to speed up the utilization of space systems for practical Earth benefits, of furthering our knowledge in physical and life sciences, and as a test laboratory for research on men and equipment for long journeys to the planets. These laboratories would house as many as a dozen men and would be supplied periodically by ferries from Earth. In the future, when men return to Earth from space journeys, they will be able to choose one of several landing sites and land their craft in much the same way as aircraft. This will provide much more flexible and perhaps more economical returns than the present sea recovery method.

The spacecraft described above are representative of the general class of advanced spacecraft that can be designed and built after there is an adequate base of technology. This technology can best be obtained by a steady support of

The success of this country in developing greater booster capability was made possible by technology developed in the early and mid-fifties by the military and by the NACA, predecessor of NASA. At present, we have a large range of booster capability-from the 150 lbs in orbit of Scout to the almost 100,000 lbs Saturn V can launch into a trajectory to the Moon. We must, however, continue technology for improved and more economical boosters and for boosters with greater payloads than Saturn V. Thus we see as future possibilities, Figure 279, recoverable type boosters, perhaps with airbreathing engines, that will use the same technology as that developed for hypersonic transports previously mentioned.

Other future booster concepts might use recoverable advanced liquid rocket engines in the upper stages and economical expendable solid boosters in the first stages. A more near-term possibility is a large solid rocket first stage coupled with the existing Saturn SIVB upper stage. This combination will carry payloads between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds in near-Earth orbit. Other possible configurations include a hydrogen-oxygen "core" stage with large solid rockets strapped to it for added take-off thrust.

Nuclear rocket stages offer a very attractive means for either greatly uprating the Saturn V vehicle in the future or for launching a very large manned planetary spacecraft from Earth orbit and providing propulsion for later phases of the flight. Solid-core nuclear rocket technology has reached the point where engine development can be initiated to take advantage of this great step forward in propulsion.

Spacecraft

There are many possibilities in spacecraft technology for extending our capabilities to explore the universe, Figure 280. We are examining the possibility of using a solar powered electric thrustor in a trajectory which makes use of gravitational fields of planets to send a probe on a long journey by a number of

In preparing for the exploration of Mars and Venus, it will be advantageous to use their atmosphere for deceleration of the landing spacecraft. We envision spacecraft that first enter with a large decelerator and shield for initial deceleration, the use of parachutes for intermediate deceleration, and finally rocket power for final maneuvering and touchdown.

One of the greatest opportunities for exploration of the nature of the universe is through space astronomy. By placing optical and radio telescopes above the absorption mantle of the Earth's atmosphere, man will have powerful tools for studying stars, star systems, nebulae, and planets. A manned optical telescope wih an aperture of 120 inches or more, and sensitive to radiation at wave lengths between 800 Angstroms and 1 millimeter can be possible through research and technology development. A major problem is to achieve a very high pointing accuracy-values of 0.01 arc seconds for periods of 24 hours is considered as a goal. This is analogous to a telescope in Washington pointing to within an 8inch circle in San Francisco.

Radio telescopes in space as large as 20 kilometers (over 10 miles) have been suggested as a goal by the National Academy of Sciences and there is a great need for more technology for such large space structure.

Orbiting research laboratories offer the opportunity to speed up the utilization of space systems for practical Earth benefits, of furthering our knowledge in physical and life sciences, and as a test laboratory for research on men and equipment for long journeys to the planets. These laboratories would house as many as a dozen men and would be supplied periodically by ferries from Earth. In the future, when men return to Earth from space journeys, they will be able to choose one of several landing sites and land their craft in much the same way as aircraft. This will provide much more flexible and perhaps more economical returns than the present sea recovery method.

The spacecraft described above are representative of the general class of advanced spacecraft that can be designed and built after there is an adequate base of technology. This technology can best be obtained by a steady support of

History has shown repeatedly that man's progress is based on the generation of new knowledge and the application of this knowledge for useful purposes. New technology furnishes us with the know-how to benefit society. In particular, our technology program will lead to improved atmospheric and space vehicles such as the examples I have cited. But in addition, the aeronautics and space program, as the seedbed of invention, is yielding dividends in education, standard of living, health, private enterprise, national security, and world peace. I firmly believe that a continuous evolvement of new technology is an essential element in the growth and prosperity of the nation.

Our program to evolve new technology is carried out in the laboratories of government, universities, and industry, working together as integrated teams on new innovations. The work ranges from theoretical or laboratory investigations of a few individuals to large efforts on subsystems involving hundreds of skilled scientists, engineers, and technicians. Let me describe some of our achievements last year.

TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS OF 1966

In his report to the Congress on Aeronautics and Space activities of the government, the President listed 35 major accomplishments in 1966. We are proud that eight of these are from the Advanced Research and Technology Program. They are quoted as follows:

Tests of the nation's first NERVA nuclear-rocket engine (a "breadboard" engine which contained flight-type components but in a non-flight arrangement) demonstrated its high performance and stability over a wide range of operating conditions.

The X-15 research aircraft continued to be used for a wide variety of aeronautical and space flight experiments, including flights with the large external tanks to be used later for Mach 8 speeds.

Studies were completed on the feasibility of using V/STOL concepts for short haul commercial transports.

Components of the 1.5 million pound thrust M-1 engine were successfully tested and yielded valuable data.

The 260-inch diameter solid rocket motor was static tested, burning for about two minutes and developing a maximum thrust of over 3.5 million pounds.

Two lifting body vehicles, the M-2 and the HL-10, were in the initial phases of their flight test program.

The first SNAP-8 power conversion system was operated, achieving a 35 KW electrical output.

A single ion engine was endurance tested for over 8000 hours, leading to the decision to prepare a second flight in the Space Electric Rocket Test program.

These are among the highlights I have selected to illustrate our progress.

AERONAUTICS

During the past year, we continued to expand activities in aeronautical research and technology and much progress has been made.

Methods to Reduce Noise. In research to lessen aircraft noise, for example, we continued investigations of steeper descent angles during approach to landing and steeper climb on take-off. This reduces noise by moving the source farther from the ground, as shown by Figure 281. Steep angles, however, introduce new problems of flight control and we have been investigating several possible solutions. One is by direct control of the lifting characteristics of the airplane and this initial study was made by the Ames Research Center using a Convair 990. The spoilers normally used to change the lift on one wing and give roll control were rerigged to control the lift equally on each wing. This enables the pilot to control lift directly rather than by pitching the aircraft nose down for descent and up for ascent, as is conventional practice. The tests were successful and a Boeing 707 prototype is being modified to incorporate direct lift control in the flaps, which is a more desirable approach. Other studies are under way to suppress noise of conventional engines and to design entirely new engines which will generate less noise. This is part of the combined Federal plan of attack on