SPACE SCIENCE, APPLICATIONS, AND ADVANCED RESEARCH, 1963-69 255 



Boeing Co., as well as Secretary of the Air Force (and former NASA 

 Deputy Administrator) Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr. NASA Adminis- 

 trator Dr. Thomas O. Paine acknowledged in his testimony: 



We at NASA fully appreciate the role that the Committee on Science and Astro- 

 nautics has consistently played in emphasizing the need for farsighted programs in 

 aeronautical research and development. The committee and particularly this sub- 

 committee have been a moving force in gaining support for the steady increase in 

 funding within NASA for aeronautics over the last few years. 



During the hearings, Representative Barry Goldwater, Jr. (Re- 

 publican of California) raised two points concerning gaps in aero- 

 nautical research: the need to train more young aeronautical engineers, 

 and the need to place more emphasis on research in general aviation 

 safety. 



The 1969 hearings on aeronautics led to the publication of a com- 

 mittee report entitled "Issues and Directions for Aeronautical Research 

 and Development", produced by the subcommittee and printed on 

 March 23, 1970. The report was largely the work of William G. Wells, 

 Jr. who accomplished yeoman work in the area of aeronautics. Wells, 

 who worked closely with the committee while a staff assistant to 

 Representative Karth from 1965 to 1969, holds degrees from the 

 University of Chicago, Purdue University, and a D.B.A. degree from 

 George Washington University. As a Colonel in the Air Force and 

 later with NASA, Wells had extensive experience in missile develop- 

 ment and program-writing in the space field. His expertise was still 

 being utilized in 1979 as Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Science, 

 Research and Technology until his resignation in October. 



To summarize, the 1970 report on aeronautics emphasized the 

 following points: 



Our Nation should establish a national aeronautics and aviation policy. 



Federal agency-industry roles and relationships require clarification. 



Department of Transportation should be represented on the National Aeronautics 

 and Space Council. 



Our long term world leadership is in danger if aeronautical research and develop- 

 ment continue to decline. 



We must rebuild our technological base, and also use our existing technology 

 more fruitfully. 



Positive action needed by both Government and industry to attract more 

 younger scientific and technical personnel into aeronautics. 



Airports must be considered among needs to be filled in the aeronautical research 

 and development area. 



NERVA AND NUCLEAR POWER 



Many battles raged within the Congress over the issue of whether 

 or not to develop nuclear rockets, as well as on-board nuclear space 

 power. The biggest fights occurred over the Nerva (Nuclear Engine for 



