Justification The manned lunar program may require the use of vehicles with thrust levels on the order of 20 to 22 million pounds. Vehicles of these sizes create severe explosive overpressures and acoustical noise pressure hazards. It is necessary, therefore, to provide safe separation distance between launch complexes, between these complexes and their respective operational and industrial support areas, and between the complexes and the public. The cost of providing distance by the acquisition of real estate is far lass than the construction of costly and complicated structures in close proximity to the danger source—the launch sites. The requirement of a buffer zone to assure that harmful acoustical effects and blast overpressures cannot reach inhabited areas adjacent to the proposed launch sites makes it necessary that most of Merritt Island be acquired. This effectively moves the nearest settlement across the Indian River on the mainland, which also reduces the security problem. Land acquisition_ Cost estimate Site development and utility installations. Facility construction and modifications___ Equipment, instrumentation, and support systems_. Design and engineering services (Corps of Engineers administrative expenses, $2,000,000). $53, 000, 000 2, 000, 000 Total estimated cost___ 55, 000, 000 ATLANTIC MISSILE RANGE, CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. Mission.-Primary base for flight development testing; and for the launching, initial tracking, and operation and control of space vehicles in suborbital and orbital flights, and in lunar, planetary, and space probes and exploration flights. Location.-New area to the north and west of and adjacent to the present boundaries of the 17,000-acre Cape Canaveral Government-owned area (Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex of the Air Force Missile Test Center which is operated by the Air Force as part of the Atlantic Missile Range). Acreage.-Approximately 73,000 acres in Brevard County, including the northern portions of Merritt Island, to be used for the construction of facilities and as a buffer zone. (Total estimated cost of land acquisition is $55 million). When selected.-August 18, 1961. How selected.-NASA-DOD joint study. Report dated July 31, 1961, "NASADOD Joint Report on Facilities and Resources Required at Launch Site to Support NASA Manned Lunar Landing Program, Phase 1" (Debus-Davis report). Other sites considered.-Cumberland Island Ga., Brownsville, Tex., Christmas Island, mid-Pacific area (south of Hawaii), South Point, Hawaii, Mayaguana Island, Bahama Islands, White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex. Significant criteria used.-Trajectory advantages relating to launch azimuths, Hazards of overflight or booster impact in populated area. Speed of expansion in terms of cost, time, and land availability. Water transportation access. Existing instrumentation support. Adjacent air support facilities. Selection of this site was based upon primary considerations of trajectory advantages relating to launch azimuths; minimum hazards of overflight and booster impact in populated areas; adequacy of size and isolation; excellent surface, air and deepwater instrumentation facilities. Facilities to be constructed (a) Authorized and funded, fiscal year 1962: existing area: Completion of Saturn launch complex No. 37---. Central shop and maintenance facility-. Spacecraft facility_. Extension of assembly building_. Liquid hydrogen system for Saturn launch complex No. 34- Modifications to Saturn launch complex No. 34– Modifications to Saturn launch complex No. 37- Total____. (b) Proposed-Fiscal year 1962 supplemental: new area : Land acquisition___ Total. (c) Proposed-Fiscal year 1963: existing area : Modifications to Saturn launch complex No. 34_ Modifications to Saturn launch complex No. 37. Modifications to provide a launch complex for solid suborbital vehicles Supporting facilities__. $10, 961, 000 680,000 801, 000 1, 000, 000 2,800,000 2, 535,000 18,722, 000 11, 000, 000 265, 000 48, 764, 000 55, 000, 000 55, 000, 000 3, 765,000 1, 150, 000 1, 717, 000 Central supply facility-- Engineering and laboratory annex. Engineering operations building addition__. Modifications to Titan II launch complex. Total New area: Advanced Saturn launch complex No. 39– 3, 000, 000 500,000 450, 000 1, 600, 000 450,000 2,400,000 800, 000 12, 832, 000 176, 550, 000 Advanced Saturn/Nova supporting facilties_ Contractor engineering and laboratory building---- Engineering laboratory- Launch phase range support equipment_ Apollo mission support facilities.. Apollo static test facility. Nova launch complex.. Addition to spacecraft assembly facility for unmanned space craft___. Explosive safe assembly facility for unmanned spacecraft_-_. Total____ Total, proposed fiscal year 1963--- 39, 121, 000 800, 000 900, 000 36, 221, 000 1, 200, 000 22, 510, 000 5, 000, 000 79, 500, 000 2, 000, 000 450, 000 22, 000, 000 347, 131, 000 359, 963,000 MISSISSIPPI TEST FACILITY-FISCAL YEAR 1962 SUPPLEMENTAL ESTIMATES LAND ACQUISITION Description The site for the ground testing of large boosters has been selected and designated as the "Mississippi Test Facility." The center of the site is located approximately 35 air miles northwest of New Orleans, La., and about 21⁄2 miles from the unincorporated community of Gainesville, Miss. The site requires the purchase of approximately 13,550 acres of land in fee and restrictions as to habitable buildings on approximately 128,400 acres, which for the most part will be acquired by restrictive easements. The land to be acquired in fee will be the site for construction of test stands and supporting facilities for testing large boosters. The perimeters of this area provide the necessary explosive and acoustical safety distances required. The easement area provides a buffer zone from which all habitable buildings must be removed to assure the safety of the inhabitants, although outdoor activity in this zone will be permissible. A sketch indicating the fee and easement areas is attached. Included in the project are all of the costs required to institute condemnation proceedings where necessary, title searches, appraisals, land surveys and topographical mapping, core borings for subsurface profiles, and the purchase price of the real estate. The urgency of the approved manned lunar program required the use of the NASA statutory reprograming authority to initiate land acquisition of certain portions of the total land requirements. To this end, the amount of $3,500,000 was transferred from the "Research and development" appropriation for the fiscal year 1962 to the "Construction of facilities" appropriation. The cost for reimbursement of the research and development funds are included in the total cost of this project. Justification The decision of the Government to enter into programs requiring boosters of greater size and thrust than any heretofore designed created a requirement for a ground test area of greater size than any presently existing to meet safety and acoustical requirements. The site had to conform to certain specific criteria with regard to isolation, year-round operation, accessibility by deepwater transportation and highways, proximity to other associated NASA activities, utilities, and industrial community support. The site selected for the Mississippi Test Facility meets all of the significant criteria established in the site selection procedures. Of particular significance is the proximity of the NASA Michoud Plant in New Orleans, La., which will be used for the fabrication of the large vehicle stages. Cost estimate Land acquisition.. Site development and utility installations.. Facility construction and modifications... Equipment, instrumentation, and support systems__ Design and engineering services (Corps of Engineers administra tive expenses, $1,400,000) – Total estimated cost__. $14,600,000 1, 400, 000 16, 000, 000 MISSISSIPPI TEST FACILITY, PEARL RIVER, MISS. Mission.-Static testing of Saturn and Nova class rockets manufactured at the Michoud Plant, New Orleans. Location.-35 miles northeast of New Orleans, La. In Pearl River area of southwest Mississippi. Acreage. Approximately 13,500 acres, fee simple, Hancock County, Miss. Ap proximately 128,000 acres, buffer zone, easement rights: 103,000 acres, Hancock and Pearl River Counties, Miss.; 25,000 acres, St. Tammany Parish, La. Total estimated cost of acquisition, including easements, is $16 million. When selected.-October 16, 1961. How selected.-Study made in August and September 1961 by Site Evaluation Committee composed of NASA Headquarters and Marshall Space Flight Center staff personnel assisted by Corps of Engineers. Other sites considered.-New Orleans, La.; Corpus Christi, Tex.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Brownsville, Tex.; Cumberland Island, Ga.; Cape Canaveral, Fla.; Redstone Arsenal, Okla.; Wallops Island, Va.; other sites in gulf coastal areas from Texas to Carolinas; White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex. Significant criteria used.—Isolation; proximity to Michoud Plant, New Orleans, La.; deepwater transportation; good railroad and road connections; local industrial support and labor supply; community support; power and industrial water supply; and mild climate. Selection of this site was based upon primary considerations of isolation, year-round operation, and the availability of excellent surface and deepwater transportation in close proximity to the manufacturing at the Michoud Plant, New Orleans. Facilities to be constructed (a) Authorized and funded in fiscal year 1962: Ground test facili ties---- Total--- $6,590,000 6, 590,000 (b) Proposed fiscal year 1962 supplemental: Land acquisition____ 16,000,000 Senator MAGNUSON. Will you tell us why you need this when there has been no authorization? Dr. SEAMANS. Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee, it is a pleasure to appear before you today in support of the two supplemental appropriation items for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The first item is a request for $85 million in the research and development appropriation to maintain our current schedules in the manned space flight program and in the unmanned lunar exploration program. |