1550 



U.S. Involvement 



The connection of the U.S. Government with the IGY, like that of 

 other national governments, was unofficial. Nevertheless, about a 

 third of the initial U.S. financial support — more than $43 million — 

 consisted of appropriated funds. An equivalent amount was contrib- 

 uted by private institutions — mainly universities — with the remain- 

 ing third provided througli existing programs in both public and private 

 research laboratories. Of the $43 million of appropriated money, 

 nearly $20 million was for the U.S. Earth Satellite program." Ulti- 

 mately, logistical and operational support for IGY activities brought 

 the total cost of the U.S. contribution to about $500 million. 



Many different approaches to the administration of funds for the 

 IGY were taken by the 67 participating countries. In the United 

 States, a National Committee for the IGY — the USNC — was estab- 

 lished by the National Academy of Sciences, a member of ICSU. The 

 USNC served as a focus for all U.S. technical panels, geographical 

 committees, and special groups, as well as for a broad cross-section 

 of American geophysicists. It provided technical guidance for the 

 National Science Foundation, which was responsible for preparation 

 of budget estimates and for obtainino; congressional appropriations. 

 Among the U.S. Government agencies which assisted the UwSNC 

 were the Departments of State, Defense, and Coxiimorce, the Atomic 

 Energy Commission, and the Office of Defense Mobilization. 



Role of Congress 



The original budget for the IGY presented to Congress by 

 Dr. Alan T. Waterman, Directorof the National Science Foundation, was 

 for $13 milhon. Dr. Waterman emphasized that this budget was not 

 to be confused with the separate amount of about the same magnitude 

 needed for the NwSF's regular programs. Altogether a considerably 

 greater amount was requested, and more than $43 million was 

 approved. 



With only minor qualifications, congressional reaction to the IGY 

 was positive, both in the early stages and after the event. As author 

 Harold BuUis comments: 



Although both Houses of Congress supported IGY requests enthusiastically, 

 the House frequently reduced the amounts requested whereas the Senate usually 

 voted for the full amounts. The final figures arrived at represented a compromise 

 between the two bodies. Action in the House reflected a belief that the budget 

 estimates arrived at by the scientists were necessarily rough and could be reduced 

 without damage to the U.S. IGY program, whereas the scientists insisted that 

 the budget estimates were conservative and that any reductions would indeed 

 severely damage the program. Irritation was also expressed in the House that the 

 scientists were making use of administration prestige to "sell" the IGY program, 

 thereby relegating the Congress to a back seat in the endeavor. These difficulties 

 were relatively minor, however, and for the most part the Congress granted the 

 scientists what they requested.''^ 



♦1 In the lieht of tho magnitude of U.S. spending for space exploration in the yeans following the IGY, 

 $20 million seems a modest enough investment. However, even that amount was not arrived at without 

 dissension. The associate director of this study series, Warren R. Johnston, recalls attending meetings 

 of the NSC Planning Board in 19.56 at which Presidential advisers debated the (juestion of how much— or 

 how little— money it would take to assure a minimally successful Earth satelUte e.xperiment. With the 

 shock of Sputnik I, th.-^ empliasis suddenly changed from minimal to maximal. 



« BuUis, op. cit. p. 312. 



