Lunar supporting research and technology

During Fiscal Year 1970, Space Science and Applications funds will continue supporting research and technology (SR&T) to insure that the flight program is based on the most accurate knowledge. Since we as a Nation are committed to some form of lunar exploration, then a strong foundation of lunar scientific competence must be maintained and nurtured as the source from which missions can grow (Chart SM69-475) that have a value justifying the national effort involved. The maintenance and evolution of this scientific base for lunar exploration is the purpose of the supporting research and technology program. There are $11 million in the Office of Manned Space Flight budget for design studies of modifications to Apollo hardware and new subsystems required to provide the longer staytime and increased mobility. There are $11.5 million in the Office of Space Science and Applications budget to support the areas of: basic science, lunar exploration science, and data analysis.

Basic science covers theoretical studies, Earth-based observations, and examination of terrestrial counterparts of lunar features. Laboratory simulations of lunar processes and analyses of meteorites-our primary source of extraterrestrial material, are also included, together with support of the Lunar Science Institute at Houston.

Lunar exploration science includes lunar mapping and geodesy, exploration planning, onboard spacecraft data processing, and definititon of concepts, techniques and instrumentation for scientific experiments.

Data analysis covers long-term study of flight results including those from the recent Apollo 8 mission and, with decreasing emphasis, those of prior Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor missions.

Of necessity, this support must range through a spectrum of immediate practical questions (e.g. bearing strength of the lunar surface for manned mobility) to long-range theoretical studies (e.g. effects of radioactive element concentration on internal temperatures of the Moon). Some support involves development of new or modified geochemical or geophysical instruments as potential candidates for future missions. Other support utilizes Earth-based observations of the Moon to answer basic questions as a cheaper method than obtaining these answers by use of a spacecraft.

Studies are aimed at understanding basic processes which may have shaped the face of the Moon. This will include laboratory tests simulating meteorite impact mechanics, field studies of terrestrial geologic features which may have origins analogous to lunar structures, and a careful scrutiny of Lunar Orbiter and Apollo pictures to find clues to the origin of such puzzling features as sinuous rilles.

Analyses by highly sophisticated geochemical techniques (including age dating) of carefully collected lunar samples will probably reveal as much about the development of the Moon as any experiment possible. These chemical data must be compared with meteorite analyses and analyses of the deepest and oldest rocks obtainable from the Earth. Some of the supporting funds maintain and develop these analytical capabilities in order to maximize the scientific return from anticipated lunar samples.

Existing and incoming photographic data must be synthesized into maps (Chart SM69-325) showing the distribution of lunar features, boundaries of certain types of terrain, and areas of relatively younger or older, lighter or darker rocks. These maps then become the basis for scientific planning of objectives at particular mission sites. Much of this work is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey on a cost reimbursable basis.

Ultimately, this Nation may wish to establish a manned scientific station on the Moon. These funds will permit deeper examination of the possible scientific and technological uses of such a base. Cuts in the 1969 budget forced the slowing or actual postponement of planned work on the science instrument packages for the post-Apollo lunar missions. We are rapidly approaching the situation of having a variety of spacecraft and mission modes with large payload capabilities, but without significant science packages to use in them. The $4.0 million to bring along the science instrumentation represents the bulk of the increase in the Fiscal Year 1970 request over the Fiscal Year 1969 budget. To plan spacecraft for future science missions without at least minimal parallel funding of the science packages to fly with the spacecraft would be a questionable economy.

Other lesser "increases" over Fiscal Year 1969 funding include: $200 thousand for basic scientific studies of several important but previously neglected lunar processes (e.f lunar permafrost) which may play important roles in future

science mission planning; an increase of $1 million for Earth-based observations and lunar analog studies performed by the U.S. Geological Survey and normally funded as a part of SR&T but of necessity funded in Fiscal Year 1969 in the Apollo Program, and a $300 thousand increase for the newly founded Lunar Science Institute.

Summary

In summary, Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I have outlined a program of lunar exploration which will gather the data critical for decisions on future uses of the Moon.

We propose:

To continue Apollo flights to the Moon.

To use spacecraft, launch vehicles, and facilities purchased through the Apollo Program for initial lunar exploration.

To add to these spacecraft modifications which increase the astronaut's ability to explore; in particular, make improvements related to surface mobility, staytime, and orbital surveys.

To complete preliminary analyses and definition studies which will permit us to select the optimum systems for subsequent lunar exploration. Activities budgeted by the Office of Manned Space Flight in Fiscal Year 1970 will concentrate on the future hardware needed for a lunar flight program. Support requested through the Office of Space Science and Applications will insure that the flight program is based on the most accurate knowledge available, and that future missions will achieve the desired scientific results.

Mr. SCHERER. I will be addressing the $11.5 million of supporting research and technology which is that portion of my funding which comes from Dr. Naugle, but I would like to do it in the context of the total Lunar Program, emphasizing the science portion of it.

Mr. KARTH. What office are you with? Who is your superior?

Mr. SCHERER. I am shown under General Phillips, sir, in the Apollo Program, but I report to him and to Dr. Mueller on some matters, and to Dr. Naugle, also, so I have several bosses.

Mr. KARTH. You are one man whom I wouldn't trade jobs with. Proceed.

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

Mr. SCHERER. As you well know, we are on the threshold of the first manned lunar landing. Apollo 9 will splash down tomorrow about noon. The latest word I have is that all problems that they have experience have been minor as best we know them at this time.

Mr. PETTIS. I read something in the Press last night about the Apollo 9 crew using some time yesterday or today in an Earth resources photographic mission.

Mr. SCHERER. Yes, sir. There is an experiment on board. We took four Hasselblad cameras, the same type the Astronauts have used before, and will use on the lunar surface. We ganged them together, and used a variety of films and filters. They are scheduled to take a series of photographs in their free time on this mission. The mission length of time is sufficient to go to the Moon and return. That is one of the objectives. They will also be taking Earth photographs with these ganged Hasselblad cameras during portions of some of the later orbits.

I would like to address first 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 through history.

As a result of lunar exploration, we expect to advance our understanding of the origin, evolution, and history of the Moon, the EarthMoon system, and the solar system; to understand better the dynamic processes which shape our Earth and its environment by direct comparison of the Moon with the Earth; to learn, if possible, more about the beginnings of life; to study man, his capabilities and limitations to function as an explorer on another planet and 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, man 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.

Our past accomplishments wth automated systems, Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor, 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, 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.

Critical to future consideration of this 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, 5 years before we sent our first spacecraft to the Moon, the Russians impacted the first manmade object on the lunar surface. In subsequent years they took the first picture of the far side, 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 competition, the opportunity for international cooperation in the spirit of Antarctica is great and perhaps unique among all our space programs. Scientific cooperation in unfolding the secrets of our Moon may show the way toward peaceful coexistence.

To turn now to the initial lunar landing, last Christmas man went beyond the gravity of his own planet to be captured by another body of the solar system. Our astronauts brought us all close to the Moon's

scarred face (Chart MA 69-4290), and I think for a moment brought the people of the world closer together. They proved that man can get there and get back. The spectacular features they photographed may serve as targets for future landings.

The Sea of Tranquility (Chart MA 69-4228) is a promising landing place for future astronauts near these great fault gashes. As a matter of interest, the first manned lunar landing is just on the horizon of this first photograph.

To shift to the science aspects of this first landing, the astronauts will observe and report on their surroundings. They will emplace longlived instrumentation, and, most importantly, return lunar rock and soil to scientists here on Earth. Five landing sites have been selected. You see here a total of eight (Chart MA 67-8983). We have narrowed it down to 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7 as our final five. The selection of these five sites was based on a careful study of Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor data as well as operational considerations.

We have made geological maps of these landing sites, and, in fact, I have here (chart MA68-7409) a map the astronauts will carry of one of these selected sites.

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. With the many unknowns that exist, a conservative operational philosophy has been adopted for this first mission with the major tasks shown here (chart SM69-346). We see sampling, deployment of scientific instruments, and then crew observations.