Astronautical and Aeronautical Events of 1962 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICAL AND AERONAUTICAL EVENTS OF 1062 229
November 1-3: First NASA-University Conference on the Science and
Technology of Space Exploration held in Chicago, with 1,181
educators and scientists representing NASA Headquarters, NASA
field installations, and other Government agencies, as well as
more than 300 colleges and universities.
November 1: Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator,
speaking at NASA-University Conference in Chicago, said NASA
needed help from universities in four main areas: space sciences,
manned space flight, applications of earth satellites to communi-
cations and meteorology, and advanced research and technology.
“Our educational institutions bear a major responsibility for the
success of our national effort to explore space. Our universities
and colleges are called upon to produce a body of scientists and
engineers of unexcell~d competence. Some of these graduates
will enter governmental service with NASA and other agencies
participating in the space program; some will join private re-
search organizations and industrial corporations.
“But some must remain at the universities where they continue
to advance knowledge and produce new talent. This last func-
tion should receive high priority. The government laboratory,
industry, and research foundation all are users of creative and
talented men without reproducing this vital national resource.
The university alone is the producer of new engineers and sci-
entists.”
Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Director of Space Sciences, addressed
NASA-University Conference on the Science and Technology of
Space Exploration, Chicago: “During the first four years of the
existence of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
157 sounding rockets, 55 satellites, and 9 space probes have been
launched and have yielded a tremendous amount of information
in all of the areas of interest. Many hundreds of research papers
have appeared in the open scientific literature and a considerable
portion of the scientific community, both national and interna-
tional, has become involved in the effort to make t,he most of the
opportunities afforded by the space program for the conduct of
important research. It is hoped that the university community
will continue to find new and challenging opportunities and will
continue to increase and strengthen its participation which has
already become a major element in the success of the program so
far.”
Dr. T. L. K. Smull, Director of NASA Granbs and Research Contracts,
addressed NASA-University Conference on policies and procedures
of NASA-University grants and research contracts: “The basic
principle of all NASA policy regarding its relationships with uni-
versities is that NASA wishes to work within the structure of the
universities in a way that will strengthen the university and at the
same time make it possible for NASA to accomplish its mis-
sion. . . . NASA hopes to conduct its joint activities in a
manner that will preserve and strengthen the universities’
educational role. This basic policy is interwoven in t,he policies
and procedures of NASA support of research, facilities, and training.
‘(. . . NASA support of activities in the universities has approx-
imately doubled each year since NASA was organized. During
Fiscal Year 1962 some $40 million were committed for these