Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

October 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967
* Passage of P.L. 90-112, DOT’S M 1968 funding, provided general funds
of $1.5819 billion, including $142 million for SST development and $70
million for advanced-funding airport grants [see Sept. 28 and Oct. 51.
(P.L. 90-112)
House adopted conference report on amended NASA FY 1968 appropria-
tions bill (H.R. 12474) and sent report to Senate, which adopted
report, leaving two amendments in disagreement. Senate had added
$96 million to original House bill for R&D on Voyager and Nema pro-
grams. House approved only $10 million of Senate’s increase on R&D
item; insisted on its original approval of $35.9 million for construction
facilities for Voyager and Nerva programs, turning down Senate boost
of $19.5 million; and approved Senate-voted $20 million cut for NASA’s
operations. (CRY 10/23/67, H13785-93; S15142; NASA LAR VI/115)
* Rep. James G. Fulton (R-Pa.), ranking minority member of House Com-
mittee on Science and Astronautics, during debate on NASA appropria-
tions bill on floor of House, said: “China is now proceeding with the
development of a rocket with nuclear propulsion. The Chinese nuclear
rocket program is based upon a nuclear reactor through which passes
liquid hydrogen that is stored in the rocket. This same fuel . . . is also
used as a coolant for the nozzle of the rocket.” He also said Communist
Chinese “are proceeding with the development of a sounding rocket
called Caditi . . . [and] telecommunications satellites.”
He explained that Communist Chinese believe, “to operate success-
fully in space, big booster power, high energy fuels, and nuclear
propulsion are necessary. The University of Nanking . . . is conduct-
ing training courses in various applications of rocket programs. The
Chinese space research center of Sinkiang now has programs in the
study of materials necessary for space experiments. In addition, it
should be seriously considered that the Chinese rocket institute-
Balon Roditi-is interested in the development of rockets ‘for all pur-
poses.’ This, of course, includes military as well as peaceful uses. Peking
is not-a signatory to the recent peace treaty for the peaceful uses of
outerspace. . . .
“The nations of the West, including Russia, should not underestimate
Chinese competence in these matters and the pace of their research and
development programs. The US. Government and the American people
must be alerted to the swift progress of the Red Chinese nation in space
research and development, high energy propulsion, and large boosters
. . . [and they] must realize the tremendous advances being made in
the Red Chinese nuclear research field. . . . It is my belief and predic-
tion that the [Communist] Chinese will orbit . . . [their] first . . .
satellite by January 1968. . . .” (CR, 10/23/67, H13785-93)
* U.S.S.R.’s intensified study of near-earth environment indicated their scien-
tists planned longduration manned orbital flights, reported Aviation
Week. Two investigations were cited: Cosmos CLXVZ, launched June
16, in near-earth radiation study for protection of future cosmonauts in
orbit during high sunspot activity; and “vertical cosmic probe,” reach-
ing altitude of 2,734 mi on study of upper atmospheric layers, ionosphere,
and near-earth space. The “vertical cosmic probe,” launched Oct. 12, pro-
vided Soviets with information on electron and positive ion concentra-
tions, general intensity of cosmic rays, and radiation doses through
various types of protection during flight within radiation belts. Cosmos
CLXYZ satellite provided solar flare data for continuous three months.
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