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1/24/78

THE LAST EMPIRE?

by

Carleton S. Coon.

As Harry Stine is fond of quoting from one of my books, increases in the use of energy drawn from outside the human body automatically produce corresponding increases in the complexity of human institutions manufacturing,

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commercial, political, religious, and associational, as with unions. This growth also tends to homogenize the ways of life of the peoples of the world, brewing trouble. If space platforms to mine the moon and asteroids succeed, we will put ourselves in a position like those of Cyrus, Alexander, Augustus, and other emperors of the ancient world.

Have we the will or the means to accept such power?

Will rival nations let us do this without a fight? If our space factories are to succeed. our first requirements are a rigid selection of personnel and utter discipline.

Can we, with our polyglot and polychrome society, hit the mark? Let us not forget, men are more vital than the machines they fabricate.

If this new age shall come to pass, let us not step into it as if it were a Children's Crusade.

Doulton 5 Doon

Forum for the Advancement of Students in Science and Technology, Inc

January 24, 1978

Honorable Olin E. Teague,

Chairman

Committee on Science and Technology

U.S. House of Representatives

Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Teague:

We wish to thank you for this opportunity to express our ideas concerning
the future objectives of this nation's space program.

It is our belief that student interest in space exploration and appli-
cation is on the increase. As the Shuttle era approaches, there is a
related need for innovative and creative educational mechanisms to support
and foster increased student interest.

Student involvement no longer remains solely in the domain of science or
engineering students but encompasses a wide range of disciplines, from
life science, the Earth and environmental sciences, to the social and
political sciences and humanities. In addition, the ramifications of
using space for the established goal of "benefiting all mankind" will
have international impacts upon Earth's cultures and social structure.
In particular, we urge that NASA investigate new mechanisms to increase
student participation in its various space exploration and application
programs. Such programs as Landsat, Seasat, the Space Telescope and the
numerous opportunities offered by the Space Shuttle should be looked upon
as valuable new educational tools.

As increased emphasis is placed on earth monitoring by way of application
satellites, the importance of remote sensing training will become para-
mount. New or supplemental educational programs must be initiated, to
stimulate awareness and proper use of this new technology, both on a
national and international scale.

FASST has long been supportive of student access to the new NASA Space
Shuttle. A student space experiments program, geared to Shuttle and
its related programs, could bring the space environment directly into
the student learning community. Shuttle provides a tool to enhance
student perception of space, which has been, up to now, a textbook vision.
Spacelab, so-called "Getaway Specials", and the Long Duration Exposure
Facility (LDEF), all offer unique vehicles for student participation.
We encourage the Committee to support such student/Shuttle programs.

FASST

1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC. 20036

(202) 483-2900

Page two
FASST

We would like NASA to consider designation of a focal point within the agency for considering the student as part of the academic or user communities. Perhaps student representatives could participate in the work of the Space Programs Advisory Council (SPAC)? Other possible approaches might involve restructuring of existing University Affairs or Educational Programs in NASA. These student interfaces could serve as a model for the various federal agencies which also need to capitalize on this nation's most neglected asset the student.

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Above all, Mr. Chairman, your Committee on Science and Technology, could assist in identifying new sources of funding to support this educational initiative. We would hope that your Committee could work with NASA, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other Federal agencies, and urge approval by Congress of appropriate increases in authorized and appropriated funds.

In summary, FASST offers its assistance in stimulating realistic ways students could become actively involved with the nation's space effort. The future of the space program will only be as productive as a firm educational foundation permits. And, if our future awaits us in space, students deserve opportunities to participate in the creation of that future. Thank you for allowing FASST to present its views.

Alan Ladwig,
President

FASST

Leonard David
Program Director
FASST

FASST

2030 "M" Street, N.W.
Suite 402

Washington, D.C. 20036

Phone: (202) 466-3860

Biographical Sketch

John M. DeNoyer

John DeNoyer is currently the Director of the Earth Resources Observation Systems Program (EROS), Department of the Interior. He joined the EROS staff in 1972, coming from NASA Headquarters where he had been the Director of the Earth Observations Programs. The Earth Observations Programs Division in NASA is responsible for developing meteorological satellite systems and the Earth resources satellites. Before joining the NASA staff in 1969, Dr. DeNoyer had been the Assistant Director for Research of the Geological Survey, where his major involvements were with the EROS Program, earthquake programs, marine programs and the Trans Alaska Pipeline.

Previous to his original affiliation with the Geological Survey in 1967, Dr. DeNoyer joined the teaching staff of the Department of Geology at the University of Michigan. He served as the Acting Head of the Acoustics and Seismics Laboratory from 1963 to 1965. He spent a year on leave of absence from the University of Michigan to serve on the staff of the Institute for Defense Analyses from 1962 to 1963. Upon leaving the University of Michigan as an Associate Professor in 1965, Dr. DeNoyer became the Deputy Director for Nuclear Test Detection in the Advanced Research Projects Agency, in the Department of Defense.

Dr. DeNoyer holds an A. B. degree from Chico State College, California; an M.A. (1955) and Ph.D. (1958) from the University of California (Berkeley), majoring in mathematics and geophysics.

The author of numerous scientific papers in the fields of seismology, geophysics, and remote sensing applications, he was the recipient of the Henry Russel Award in 1964 for scholarly research, the NASA Exceptional Service Award in 1972, and the Department of the Interior Meritorious Service Award in 1977.

Dr. DeNoyer's professional affiliations include the Geological Society of America; Seismological Society of America; American Geophysical Union; Acoustical Society of America; American Association for the Advancement of Science; and Sigma Xi.

Dr. DeNoyer was born in Kalaw, India (Burma), on May 19, 1926. He is married to the former Doris Hoffman and has four children. The DeNoyers live in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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