Science and Public Policy: National Security 111 



operated as most other space particle probes combined. Alto- 

 gether, the emerging knowledge of our planet's environment, 

 including effects of the STARFISH high altitude nuclear explo- 

 sion and some other similar events, is now approaching a level to 

 permit many valuable systems engineering and systems analysis 

 estimates. These apply to the performance of various kinds of 

 space vehicles, communications systems, events susceptible to 

 distant magnetic fields, the solar wind and kinetics of cosmic 

 rays. Thus the distribution of electrons with energies of about 

 1 Mev is usually separated into an inner and outer Van Allen 

 belt with maxima at radial distances of about 1.25 and 4.5 earth 

 radii on the magnetic equator (Fig. 9). On the other hand, the 

 proton distribution for particles energetically between one and 

 a hundred Mev is represented in a single maximum increasing 

 monotonically in radial distance with decreasing proton energy 

 (Fig. 10). Theoretical understanding is slowly but steadily 

 advancing as to the cause of the slot between the electron belts, 

 and of the whole mechanism of initiation and loss of these 

 Van Allen regions. 



No one could possibly have planned or predicted the direc- 

 tions of study or the facilities which have proved so effective in 

 this research, on the basis of the most exhaustive systems engi- 

 neering plans of a few years ago. Rather, it was essential for the 

 scientific options to arise separately, although in easy associa- 

 tion with the systems programs for communications satellites, 

 weather satellites, military satellites and so forth. Nevertheless, 

 the two domains had to retain adequate independence as well 

 as intimate correlation. This "neatest trick of the vicennium" 

 is again concordant with the visions for the progress of science 

 in the service of security possessed by the founders and sponsors 

 of the Office of Naval Research some two decades ago. 



As to other specific examples, the exciting fea- 

 Discovery is ture is the diversity of them which are now 



Continuing, available. Instead of any sign of saturation or 



as Needs Grow plateau in discovery of effects relevant or sig- 

 nificant in the ONR sense to the furtherance 

 of our military security, there is on the other hand a constantly 



