336 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



Mr. Symington. Thank you, gentlemen. I am glad I arrived in time. 



In 1975, the Fuqua subcommittee put in a total increase of $6.5 

 million, including severe storm research and earth resources surveys. 

 In action supported by the Congress later, the Fuqua subcommittee 

 directed NASA to "take a more affirmative approach to the planning 

 of application missions with a view toward the ultimate user." 

 The Fuqua subcommittee also put in a strong plug for additional 

 work to bring down the costs on a large space telescope to accompany 

 the Space Shuttle. The greatest emphasis, of course, throughout the 

 1970' s was placed on speeding the development of the Space Shuttle, 

 discussed in the preceding chapter. When the conference committee 

 met, the House conferees persuaded the Senate to go along with the 

 increase in applications research, and the conference report stated: 



The committee of conference adopts the House position authorizing $181,530,000 

 (for applications), emphasizing that the additional $6,500,000 authorized is to aug- 

 ment and strengthen research and development programs in the area of severe storm 

 research, earth resources development and Space Shuttle payload studies. The con- 

 ferees also note the need for timely action to assure continuity of remote sensing of 

 earth resources data from space. 



Throughout his subcommittee chairmanship, Fuqua as well as all 

 the members of the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications 

 continued to exert pressure on NASA to emphasize projects of practical 

 benefit. At the same time, Fuqua and the subcommittee pushed NASA 

 to accomplish more long-range planning of its objectives, and to 

 pursue an aggressive program to share the knowledge acquired with 

 the general public. Chairman Teague and Fuqua both felt that first 

 NASA should plan its future objectives both realistically and with 

 sufficient idealism, and then translate the programs clearly enough to 

 win public support. 



Midway in the first year of Fuqua's chairmanship of the sub- 

 committee, he launched a series of productive hearings and reports 

 entitled "Future Space Programs 1975." Between July 22 and July 30, 

 1975, scientists, industrialists, professors, physicians, economists, 

 environmentalists, editors, management experts, and administrators 

 paraded before the subcommittee in a truly mind-expanding experience. 

 In September 1975, the subcommittee made its report, and Fuqua noted 

 in his letter of submittal : 



It is apparent that the imagination, skill and technology exist to expand the 

 utilization and exploration of space. The positive benefits of a bold space program are 

 compelling. 



The report stated that NASA should demonstrate a sense of urgency in 

 its future program planning and development. The subcommittee 

 warned that the key clement in future programs should be measured 

 by the following yardstick: 



