336 



THE SPACE PROGRAM 



The launching of artificial earth satellites during the IGY, thereby 

 initiating mankind's exploration of outer space, has frequently been 

 characterized as the most significant result of the IGY. Berkner, for 

 example, remarked that space research was perhaps "... the 

 area of the IGY's greatest impact. For it was the IGY mechanism 

 . . . which stimulated the first steps forward into space within the 

 context of a peaceful, international program." 127 Similarly, Odishaw 

 commented that the artificial satellite program of the IGY, represent- 

 ing a "striking departure" from the kinds of research techniques 

 previously employed by scientists, might be the innovation that 

 would determine "the ultimate place of [the] IGY in history." 128 

 Gerson observed that 



. . . the truly remarkable feature of the IGY [was] its boldness of execution 

 in the space-age era. . . . Undoubtedly, the space age would have been launched 

 by 1960-65 [but] the inclusion of satellite vehicles ... in the IGY hastened 

 [its] fruition. ,2 * 



Sullivan commented that 



Under the auspices of the IGY the door to outer space has been opened. . . . 

 The placement of the first space vehicles in orbits around the earth has marked 

 the IGY as a momentous event in scientific history, comparable to the release of 

 atomic power. 130 



More recently, in a report of the United Nation's Economic and 

 Social Council, the role of the IGY in space research was summarized 

 as follows : 



One of [the IGY's] projects was to have satellites circling the earth equipped 

 with instruments to measure the earth's forces and the influences from outer 

 space. From the original modest program in which the U.S.S.R. and the United 

 States agreed to put small satellites into orbit emerged the space race, with cos- 

 monauts and astronauts going first into orbit and then to the Moon, with rockets 

 to Venus and Mars and the positioning of manmade satellites to reflect broadcast 

 signals and make long-range television possible; to maintain day and night obser- 

 vations of the weather system and report back and in later refinements of detection 

 to give a pattern of natural resources. 131 



Within the United States, the primary result of the Soviet achieve- 

 ment was the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Admini- 

 stration (NASA), which was formed in 1958 "either directly or 

 indirectly [as a result of] activities of the IGY." 132 As discussed by 

 Sullivan, the IGY forced the Federal Government "to undertake a 

 new function — that of large-scale exploration. It became necessary to 

 form a new organ, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 

 and to allocate to it an increasing share of the national budget." l33 



A corresponding response was evoked in the Congress. On March 5, 

 1958, the House Select Committee on Astronautics and Space Ex- 

 ploration was created, followed on July 21 by the establishment of the 



i» NSF-NAS Hearings: JOY Rtport, p. 177. 



m NSF-NAS Hearings: IGY Report, p. 22. 



"• Oorsen, "Polar Years to IO Y," p. 44. 



>«> Sullivan, "Scientific Alliance," p. Tl. 



'»' United Nations Economic and Social Council, Science and Technology, Role of Modem Science and 

 Technology in the Development of Nations and the Need to Strengthen Economic and Technico-scientiftc Coopera- 

 tion Among States (New York: United Nations ESC. Jan. 26, l'.)73), pp. 20-30. As of the present writing 

 of cours«, only [U.S.J astronauts have succeeded in going to the Moon. 



>" Atwood, "The IO Y in Retrospect," p. 689. See also remarks of Berkner in NSF-NAS Hearings: IQY 

 Report, i>. 191 and remarks earlier In this series In Toward l \ etc Diplomacy in A Scientific 



' - : Sulilv'an Assault, p. 416. The Increases in funds fur space activities was discussed in 

 The Evolution <>f International Technology (vol. II. p. tiiMii : "The must direct response [to 

 Sputnik 1] In the United States was an expansion In outlays for space activities. These 

 virtually doubled In each fiscal year after Sputnik until 1961 ; they peaked at $7,688.5 mil- 

 lion In 1966." 



