"52 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



NEIL ARMSTRONG AND AERONAUTICS 



In 1971, the subcommittee worked closely with Neil A. Arm- 

 strong, the first man to set foot on the Moon, who had been brought 

 in by NASA to become Deputy Associate Administrator in charge 

 of Aeronautics. In addition to the formal appearances which Arm- 

 strong made during committee hearings, Hechler arranged an informal 

 breakfast for Armstrong and Astronaut William A. Anders (the latter 

 at the time was Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and 

 Space Council.) Despite the personal interest of these former astro- 

 nauts in developing aeronautics, the subcommittee still felt that insuf- 

 ficient support was being given to the area. At a time of declining 

 budgets and the squeeze on the space program, the subcommittee was 

 insistent that more funds be allocated toward solving major aviation 

 problems through aeronautical research and development. It was 

 felt that the time had arrived to reorient NASA's program toward more 

 practical benefits, and also to use the old NACA (National Advisory 

 Committee for Aeronautics) expertise. 



When Roy P. Jackson, NASA's Associate Administrator for Ad- 

 vanced Research and Technology, appeared before the subcommittee 

 in 1971, he remarked: 



I am aware that this subcommittee has, for many years, felt that the aeronautics 

 program was less than it should have been. I can assure you that I am working and 

 will continue to work toward aeronautics being properly postured with respect to 

 NASA's total plan. 



Brought in to testify before the subcommittee in 1971, in addition 

 to Armstrong, were Drs. Hans Mark, Bruce Lundin and Edgar Cort- 

 right, the directors of Ames, Lewis, and Langley Research Centers, 

 where NASA did the bulk of its aeronautics research. Cortright had 

 this exchange with the subcomittee chairman: 



Mr. Cortright. When I went to Langley 3 years ago I made a conscious effort 

 to assess the state of health of our program within NASA and in the aeronautics in- 

 dustry both in this country and throughout the world and to rate our efforts against 

 the total situation. To make a long story short, it seemed quite apparent to me that 

 aeronautics had suffered somewhat from having taken a back seat to space and was 

 due some increased effort, and I think that is the situation today. 



Mr. Hechler. That is the understatement of the year. 



Mr. Cortright. Thank you, sir, I am glad you said that. * * * 



Mr. Hechler. You will find that this committee, unlike some committees of 

 Congress, is not looking to where they can cut this program, but particularly in the 

 aeronautics field we are looking for ways in which we can strengthen this program 

 and ask why you aren't doing more than you propose to do. I think this sentiment 

 is shared by people on both sides of the aisle of this subcommittee. 



