Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

618
Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon
3. We may assume that Apollo activities will be largely reconnaissance in nature.
The intention is to acquire knowledge of as large an area as possible, and by as
simple a means as possible, in the limited time available.
4. The three functional scientific activities listed in order of decreasing
importance, will be:
a. Comprehensive observation of lunar phenomena;
b. Collection of representative samples; and
c. Replacement of monitoring equipment.
5. Quantitative analytical chemistry will not be done on the moon by the Apollo
project.
6. Qualitative and semi-quantitative analytical chemistry should be planned
for, though there is not yet an obvious need for such data to be obtained on the
moon by the Apollo project.
[3] 7. Seismometers, scintillometers, and magnetometers, among other
instruments intended to determine the physical properties of the moon, will be
studied for inclusion in payloads.
8. Sample collecting, for geological and biological purposes, will be an important
activity and possible special equipment requirements should be studied.
Verne C. Fryklund, Jr.
Document II-42
Document Title: Bureau of the Budget, “Special Space Review,” Draft Report,
29 November 1963.
Source: Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, Austin, Texas.
This draft report summarizes a 1963 “special review” of the U.S. space program that began
under President John F. Kennedy and continued after his assassination under President
Lyndon Johnson. This report suggests that consideration was being given, at least within
the Bureau of the Budget staff, to “backing off from the manned lunar landing goal.” How
seriously this possibility was taken at this point in time is not clear from the historical record.
This report was a draft; there were no recommendations in it, since they would have had
to come from senior officials. It is not clear whether a final version of this report, with such
recommendations, was ever prepared, or whether any thought of not following through on the
goal that had been set by President Kennedy was quickly abandoned after his death.