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

Exploring the Unknown 753
applications area. This package will also provide a special resolution far greater
than the unmanned ERTS instruments.
[3] To forego Skylab would have a powerful negative impact on astronomy and earth
resources surveys. It would leave the U.S. without the data base for any future manned
mission decisions. It would surrender to the U.S.S.R. the option of having the first
real space station in orbit. It would leave underdeveloped the desirable precedent
of openly shared manned flight program scientific and technical results, a possibility
currently underscored by the discussions in Moscow on the suggestion that the U.S.
and U.S.S.R. use common docking hardware in their orbital spacecraft.
On balance, the weight of evidence seems to favor Skylab over Apollo if a choice
must be made. The scientific returns from the single Skylab mission promise to be
greater than those from a sixth Apollo lunar landing. We have already capitalized
on our Apollo investment but not yet on that of Skylab; we will have more new
options better developed stemming from Skylab than from Apollo; and, for this
increased return, we risk less in earth orbit than at lunar distances.
[remainder of letter not included]
Sincerely yours,
/Signed/
George M. Low
Acting Administrator
Document II-79
PRIVILEGED INFORMATION [DECLASSIFIED]
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON. D.C, 20546
Honorable Caspar W. Weinberger
Deputy Director
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Cap:
November 3, 1971