A Case Study in NASA-DoD - The Black Vault

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4. Science, Research and Development--deals with legislation
and other matters relating to the National Science Foundation,
National Bureau of Standards, and scientific research and
development.
5. Space Science and Applications--deals with legislation and
other matters relating to the Office of Space Science and
the Office of Applications. (20 )
In addition to the formation of these two standing committees to
specifically handle legislation for the space program, the Armed Services
Committee holds hearings relating to military aspects of the
space program. Also, the Committee on Government Opertions of the
House has taken particular interest in the civilian-military roles and
relationships in carrying out the U.S. space program. (11,21)
Bureau of the Budget
Normally, the military space program is in competition with all
the other military programs for funds. This competition has tended to
keep the military space program realistic relative to DoD's other
priority requirements. NASA, however, because it is strictly associated
with space, generally does not have to subject its program to
such severe competition for agency funds. The BoB regularly judges
the recommendations made by the various departments and agencies. For
NASA, convincing the BoB is where the battle begins for its space program
appropriations, whereas for DoD, the competition occurs within the
department as well as at the BoB because of the DoD's narrower range.
of ends and means. As a consequence, the military space programs are
generally well defined and justified to survive the internal DoD review
process.
NASA-DOD RELATIONSHIP
1958-1960
As noted earlier, the Eisenhower space policy was very conservative.
It did not recognize the importance of the political implications