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

682
Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon
Document II-55
United States Senate
Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences
Washington, DC 20510
May 15, 1969
The Honorable Thomas O. Paine, Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC 20546
Dear Dr. Paine:
Recent news articles say that NASA is considering plans to relax its precaution
against the spread of alien organisms that might be brought back from the moon by the
Apollo 11 space flight because of recommendations made by an interagency committee.
Under the change, it is my understanding that the Astronauts would be permitted to leave
the spacecraft while it is still in the water instead of, as previously planned, bringing the
spacecraft with the Astronauts inside aboard the carrier and releasing them into a
biologically isolated vehicle. It is said that the changes are being proposed so as to air out
the aircraft, save the Astronauts some discomfort, and avoid the hazard of bringing the
tossing capsule near the hull of the carrier.
I wonder if it is wise to go to a procedure that can be regarded as having less
concern for possible contamination of the earth; and hope that you will very carefully
consider that if the Agency is to err it ought to err on the side of caution. The program has
come a long way and is about to meet its objective. I would not like to see people start to
criticize the program on the basis that all necessary and practical caution has not been
taken to prevent the spreading of any possible harmful pathogens brought back from the
moon.
Sincerely yours,
Cc: Mr. Robert Allnutt
Clinton P. Anderson
Chairman