NASA's role in demonstrations long enough to permit users to decide whether they want the new service and, if they do, to establish appropriate institutional arrangements for the operational system. Advanced new technology does not simply find its way into use. Even where there is self-evident value in the use of the new technology, NASA will have to be persistent if the U.S. is to continue to lead in the application of space technology for man's peaceful activities. We can most assuredly look forward to competition as the European space arrangements mature. in space 119 Since the early days of the space program there have been suggestions that, one day, facilities in space would afford special opportunity for materials processing, not because of the temperature, vacuum, lack of moisture, or the radiation flux but by virtue of the very low gravitational field. However, a report from a committee of our Space Applications Board, which will appear shortly, does not encourage the view that materials processing is likely to become an enterprise on a significant scale. There are opportunities to study the properties of various materials near the critical points of their phase transitions, gathering information that could contribute importantly to materials processing on earth. And there are opportunities to study certain physical systems in the absence of the buoyancy-driven convection that occurs in the presence of gravity. But this is applied research, not application itself. Fabrication in space of materials for use on earth currently shows little prospect of realization. Finally, it seems appropriate to apprise you of one other current undertaking. at Senators Stevenson and Schmitt and at the express request of - - is now paced by the performance of its liquid hydrogen pump which has exhibited some difficulties. The immediate principal purpose of our committee is to ascertain whether, in their view, these difficulties are of the sort that are encountered and resolved during the course of the development of every major new technology, or whether they are mone reflect some problem so profound as to be likely to necessitate some as yet unplanned special development program or to occasion significant delay in the date of the first full powered flight of the Shuttle. Their report is expected in a few weeks. Mr. Chairman, it has been a high privilege to appear before you today. Thank you, sir. During the last two years the principal activity of the Space Science Board's As a brief progress statement, we note that our report on space plasma physics The following subjects are of particular concern to the Board at the present time, as they bear upon the future viability of our present strategic studies: 1. Space Telescope and Jupiter Orbiter Probe The Board is keenly aware that in the approval of ST and JOP substantial The National Research Council is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering to serve government and other organizations 2. 3. exploration of the inner and outer solar system. The Board has a Transportation Capabilities We are fully aware that the launch capability required for missions to fulfill the scientific strategy is almost totally dependent on the availability of the Shuttle and that development delays and cost overruns can have a serious effect on space science missions. In the case of planetary exploration missions this dependency includes the Interim Upper Stage as well as the Shuttle. Significant delays in Shuttle/IUS development or inability to achieve the capabilities required for deep space exploration can have a serious and adverse effect on those missions constrained to narrow, infrequent launch opportunities. Some scientific objectives will require a propulsion capability which is larger than the maximum to be provided by the IUS. We understand that a decision to develop a solarelectric-propulsion system to fill this requirement is under consideration. On the basis of the strategy for the period 1977-1986 and the expected levels of investigation for the following period 1986-1990, the launch capabilities required to carry out these investigations should be anticipated. We, therefore, recommend that a policy be adopted which places the overall planning and development of launch capabilities for unmanned exploration in a 10-20 years perspective and which focuses on requirements for long-range objectives. Supporting Research and Technology We believe that high priority should be given to funding for instrument concepts and development. The previous lack of conceptual and breadboard instrument development in a timely manner has caused serious difficulties in the space science program. The SSB has strongly recommended an increase in supporting research and technology funding for a number of years. Regrettably, support to strengthen this area has regularly been denied due to programmatic funding difficulties. We recommend that the agency redirect and give perspective to this matter, both within the area of SRT and in the sense of mission definition, so that the development of instrumentation anticipates and adequately prepares the agency to achieve the science objectives described in the strategy. Unless there is a concerted effort to rectify this matter, the new approaches needed to achieve new objectives will be missing and most of the program will be undermined. 4. Space Science Programs There is one important observational area in which space plasma physics Page Three Dr. Philip Handler 12 January 1978 5. is becoming increasingly dependent on the acquisition of such measurements, and we emphasize once again the timely nature of such a mission. The new phenomena presently under investigation in high energy astrophysics have a revolutionary impact on the entire field of astronomy, so that the continued capability to study these phenomena has a very high priority for future initiatives. The present series of High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO) spacecraft, just beginning their observational programs with the launch of HEAO-1, provide new observational capabilities of greater sensitivity and angular resolution. These spacecraft have design constraints which severely limit their useful observing lifetimes. The Board recommends that NASA take reasonable measures to extend the useful operating lifetimes of these spacecraft, since the United States will enter a period without x-ray and gamma-ray observational capabilities after these lifetimes have terminated. It will be important to plan for an early launch of post-HEAO instrumentation of enhanced capability. The Board is pleased to note that the approval of the major elements of the Global measurement of the physical and chemical character of the inner Long Term Commitment to Space Research I would now like to turn to a fundamental issue about which the Board is deeply concerned. We refer to the continued absence of any statement of intent which provides substantial goals for long range U.S. space activities. |