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

758
Project Apollo: Americans to the Moon
a. Announcement of a sound program for the con tinued analysis of
lunar materials already obtained. Such a [7] program would have a great scientific
value, and would also continue financial support to the scientists involved in lunar
analysis, who would otherwise be out of a job.
b. Initiation of a small effort toward Jupiter orbiters and probes
(“Pioneer” class spacecraft). One of the most important concerns of the National
Academy of Sciences Space Science Board is that NASA’s present plans for the
Grand Tour missions to the outer planets do not include a parallel program
for the detailed exploration of Jupiter. The inclusion of a continuing Pioneer
program, in addition to the Grand Tour, would partially offset the nega tive impact
of the cancellation of Apollo.
c. Reinstatement of the Orbiting Solar Observatories I, J, and K,
proposed for deletion in NASA’s FY 1973 budget proposal, and the full funding
of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory, proposed for reduced funding in
NASA’s budget, would demonstrate the Administration’s desire to support science
to a large segment of the space science community.
4. The effectiveness of the above compensatory actions will depend in
large measure on the total budget level approved for NASA for FY 1973. Unless
the NASA FY 1973 budget is essentially at or above the FY 1971 and FY 1972
budget authority level of about $3.3 billion, the decision to cancel Apollo 16 and
17 will be regarded by the Congress, the public, and the scientific community as a
part of a general backing away from and downgrading of the space program.
Effect of Actions on Budget
The actions discussed above would result in a net reduction in NASA’s FY 1973
minimum recommended budget estimates but would not take the total estimate
for budget authority below $3.3 billion, as indicated below.
[8]
Budget
Authority
(in millions)
Budget
Outlays
NASA FY 1973 Budget
Submission—Minimum
Recommended Program
Cancellation of Apollo
16 & 17
$3,385 $3,225
–133 –109
Start Space Shuttle (no change) (no change)
Reinstate OSO-I, J, K + 20 + 15
Start Pioneer Orbiter/
Probes
+ 15 + 5