464 



experimentally to determine the wortli of this kind of system. It is not 

 operational. 



Mr. KoGERs. It is pretty well admitted that this is a very constructive 

 program, is it not? 



iDr. Seamans. When we talk about a research or experimental pro- 

 gram I want to make it clear that there will be buoys available and 

 managed by the groups I mentioned in my statement in time for the 

 Nimbus launching, which will be the end of this coming winter, and 

 we will through the Nimbus spacecraft receive signals from these buoys 

 with whatever type of oceanographic data that the experimenters 

 w^ant. This data will be stored in the spacecraft and when it comes 

 over at an appropriate place it will be fed down to the ground. 



On an experimental basis we are trying out a new idea, you might 

 say. This is not just in the dream stage. We actually have the hardware 

 to permit this experiment to be carried out. 



Mr. Rogers. It seems to me we are not putting enough emphasis 

 on oceanography in many of the various agency budgets. 



Are there any restrictions on our placing craft in space because of 

 the treaty ? 



Dr. Seamans. Not for scientific experimental purposes. 



Mr. EoGERS. As long as it is scientific and experimental we can do 

 whatever we want. Is there any prohibition ? 



Dr. Seamans. M}'^ understanding is that the prohibition is upon 

 placing nuclear armaments into space, aggressive military types of 

 systems. There has been no prohibition on any of the activities that 

 we in NASA have underway, 



Mr. Rogers. In other words, whatever our capability is. Is that cor- 

 rect? In other words, if we can gain economic benefit we can do it as 

 long as it is not associated with the war effort, I presume? 



Dr. Seamans. Yes. There is no restriction on the nonmilitary use 

 of space as a result of the treaty. 



Mr. Rogers. So we can do whatever we want. 



Dr. Seamans. Whatever we feel is appropriate for scientific, tech- 

 nical, or operational purposes. 



Mr, Rogers. Do you think that should pretty well apply to the 

 ocean ? 



Dr. Seamans. You mean oceangoing vessels ? 



Mr. Rogers. I was thinking of underwater craft and the use of the 

 ocean. 



Dr. Seamans. Surface or submersibles ? 



Mr. Rogers. Even the ocean bottom. 



Dr. Seamans, Again we are getting into an area that I have little 

 familiarity with. I would prefer you ask somebody more expert than I. 



Mr, Rogers. Thank you very much, Doctor. 



Mr, Lennon. This is an interesting colloquy which has been going 

 on with respect to the participation of NASA in the fields of ocean- 

 ography and the marine sciences. Some of these things we perhaps did 

 not know about except for those members who are also members of the 

 distinguished committee on space. 



I note your statement that for more than 4 years NASA has to some 

 degree been involved in activities concerning collection of data and 



