important in the planning and design of all future missions to the outer planets. It is important to obtain this information as soon as possible because the opportunities that exist in the second half of the 1970s for exploration of the outer planets do not repeat for many years to come.

The study of future missions to Jupiter and to the outer planets will be continued in Fiscal Year 1970 under the Advanced Studies portion of our Program. An example of one of the more promising future missions that have been identified is the multiple planet mission to the outer planets illustrated in Chart SL69-87. Launch opportunities for such missions occur in the 1976-1978 period. These missions will require a spacecraft specifically designed for the stringent requirements of very deep space and long life; note that trip times of eight to ten years will be required. A major fraction of the Fiscal Year 1970 Supporting Research and Technology Program will be directed toward the technical problems associated with such missions.

SUMMARY

In summary, the exploration of the planets provides the opportunity to obtain answers to century-old questions about the solar system. Increased knowledge of the solar system and comparative studies of the planets should provide direct benefits by enabling us to better understand the processes that affect and control the Earth and its environment.

Major decisions were made during Calendar 1968 which have established the framework for the future. While there are important missions that we cannot undertake at this time, NASA believes that a balanced, broad-based Planetary Exploration Program is feasible and practical, and is an important part of this country's space program. The decisions made in Calendar 1968 and the Fiscal Year 1970 budget request reflect this view. It is a program which will involve the best scientific talent in the country, is flexible to new discoveries, and should provide the greatest possible return for the resources invested.

Dr. NAUGLE. Mr. Chairman, as I noted this morning, all of the flight activity in the lunar program is funded as a part of the Apollo Program at the present time.

However, my office is responsible for establishing the scientific objectives for lunar observation, for working closely with the Office of Manned Space Flight, for providing the supporting research and technology funds to accomplish those objectives, for selecting the experiments and experimenters, and for overseeing the development of the scientific experiments. Dr. Mueller and I have a joint Lunar Exploration Program office, staffed in part by people from OSSA.

Mr. Lee Scherer is Director of that office. You know him from his record as the Manager of the Lunar Orbiter program. Mr. Lee Scherer will give the testimony regarding the Lunar Program. We are prepared to proceed.

Mr. KARTH. Mr. Scherer.

Mr. SCHERER. All right, sir. With your permission I would like to submit my full statement for the record and summarize it now in the interest of saving time.

PREPARED STATEMENT OF LEE R. SCHERER, DIRECTOR, APOLLO LUNAR EXPLORATION OFFICE, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

APOLLO LUNAR EXPLORATION OFFICE

Lunar Exploration-Current and Future

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:

In his testimony to the Committee, Dr. Naugle discussed our space science efforts in the context of general exploration of the solar system, a context in which the Moon is a major objective.

The most important and the most difficult step in the lunar program, that of a manned lunar landing, is about to be taken. Today, I will outline for the Subcommittee the scientific plans of this first Apollo lunar landing; then present a broad look at the lunar exploration program which we hope to accomplish in the next few years.

Goals and objectives of lunar exploration

Let us first look at the general goals and objectives of lunar exploration. Scientists believe that the Moon holds a unique place in furthering our understanding of many fundamental and important questions which man has attempted to answer throughout history. The President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) has said in its report of 15 October 1963:

"The central problems around which scientific interest in the Moon revolve concern its origin and history, and its relation to the Earth and to the solar system. The Moon is a relatively unspoiled body, its surface not having been subjected to the wear and tear of erosion by an atmosphere and water. Hence, a study of its surface may tell us its history, its age, whether it was formed when the solar system was formed, whether at some time it separated from the Earth or whether it was captured by the Earth at some time in its history. Answers to these questions may profoundly affect our views of the evolution of the solar system and its place, as well as man's, in the larger scheme of things."

As a result of lunar exploration, we expect :

1. To advance our understanding of the origin, evolution and history of the Moon, the Earth-Moon system, and the solar system;

2. To understand better the dynamic processes which shape our Earth and its environment by direct comparison of the Moon with the Earth; 3. To learn, if possible, more about the beginnings of life;

4. To study man, his responses to the space environment, his performance during space flight, and his potential to function on another planet; and

5. To obtain critical data for decisions on future uses of the Moon involving its unique environment as a platform in space for astronomy, research, and possible technological applications.

Until now, natural phenomena that can affect man could be studied only on Earth. We believe many things that happen on Earth also happened on the

Moon. By comparing similarities and contrasting differences, many may be able to arrive at a greater understanding of the fundamental processes that affect the Earth, such as the mechanisms which cause earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and concentrate useful ore deposits. For example, the orbits of Apollo 8 and Lunar Orbiters were disturbed by mass concentrations beneath the circular lunar seas. These may be huge meteors that struck the Moon with such force that they melted and sank into the interior, or they may be iron deposits like we have here on Earth.

Our past accomplishments with automated systems have helped to shape the investigations that we expect to perform on the first Apollo lunar landing as well as the next generation of experiments that we are currently defining. As we look to the future we think we will eventually want to establish a permanent base or scientific station on the Moon. While we can only speculate today about the feasibility of using the Moon as a base, as an observatory, and as a permanent scientific station; about exploiting its environment of low gravity and high vacuum; and about its potential for natural resources; having the establishment of such a base as a goal would bring into focus the steps that should precede it, just as Apollo was important in establishing the objectives of Mercury, Gemini, Surveyor, and Orbiter. Critical to future consideration of a lunar base goal is information on the lunar environment, location of natural resources, and strategic sites that serve multiple purposes. A long-range goal like the lunar base would direct technological advances, stimulate public interest, and attain subsidiary objectives with application on Earth such as environmental control, food synthesis, and recovery of useful elements from lunar materials.

We are not alone in our belief in the value of going to the Moon. In 1959, five years before we sent our first spacecraft to the Moon, the Russians impacted the first man-made object on the lunar surface. In subsequent years they took the first picture of the farside, made the first controlled landing, placed the first orbiter around the Moon, and returned the first capsule to Earth from lunar orbit. We may assume their future aims are similar to ours. Despite this apparent competition, the opportunity for international cooperation in the spirit of Antarctica is great and perhaps unique among all our space programs. Science has led us down the path toward nuclear holocaust. Scientific cooperation in unfolding the secrets of our Moon may show the way, as well, toward peaceful coexistence. Apollo lunar landing

At Christmas 1968, man went beyond the gravity domain of his own planét to be captured by another body of the solar system. Astronauts Borman, Lovell, and Anders brought us all close to the Moon's scarred face (Chart MA69-4229). They proved that man can get there and get back. The spectacular and challenging features they photographed may serve as targets for future landings. The right side of this view cannot be seen from Earth-the enormous bright rays around these two craters were never seen before. The Sea of Tranquility (ChartMA694228) is a promising landing place for future astronauts near these great fault gashes. The terraced walls and central peak of the huge Crater Langrenus (Chart MA69-4227) might serve as a type locality for investigation of major craters. The first attempt to land men on the Moon is presently scheduled for the last half of 1969. After landing, the astronauts will observe and report on their surroundings and carry out new experiments. They will emplace long-lived instrumentation, and, most importantly, return lunar rock and soil to scientists here on Earth. Five candidate landing sites have been selected. Their dispersion across the lunar equatorial belt increases the launch window for each month. Typical of these sites is Sinus Medii or Central Bay (Chart MAG68-7409).

As you know, the goal of the first Apollo mission to the lunar surface is the successful landing and the safe return of the astronauts. During the mission the entire Apollo system-from launch vehicles to crew-will be tested, a large step beyond the Apollo 8 orbital operations. Descent, touchdown, Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA), and ascent from the lunar surface will be done in a new environment. The 1/6 gravity environment on the lunar surface will be a new experience because it cannot be completely simulated on Earth. Only educated guesses can be made as to the difficulty or ease with which the astronauts will be able to maneuver or walk on the lunar surface, and the time it will take to accomplish tasks. Consequently, a conservative operational philosophy has been adopted for this first mission with the major tasks shown in Chart SM69-346.