Beryllium is a useful, lightweight, nuclear and aerospace material. In the nuclear rocket program, we use beryllium as the neutron reflector and as a structural component in the reactor. As a result of this application, we expended research effort to obtain additional information on the properties of beryllium. An example of this extension in data is illustrated in figure 429 along with a list of beryllium test activities we have supported. This determination of the structural characteristics of beryllium will aid in the application of this unique material in many potential areas.

One notable result of our technology survey was, as I mentioned earlier, to spur the submission of the reportable items under the Technology Utilization program. As shown by figure 430, the number of Tech Briefs and Compilations published during 1967 from the nuclear rocket program increased by nearly 100 percent over the previous year. In 1967, the SNPO tech briefs and compilations accounted for nearly 8 percent of the total NASA output of these items. Samples of a few tech briefs resulting from the nuclear rocket program are discussed below.

One of the areas of major importance in the TU program is the identification and announcement of computer codes. The subjects covered by these codes are broad and can range from the solution of basic equations to the analysis of the most sophisticated problems in structural stress analysis, nuclear physics, etc. The generation of any particular code can cost thousands of dollars. Frequently, the type of problem solved by a computer code for nuclear-space purposes is of such a fundamental nature that it could apply to many fields within the country's industrial-educational base. To make these codes available to the public NASA has established and now shares with the AEC the University of Georgia Computer Management and Information Center, COSMIC. Over 25 Space Nuclear Propulsion Office computer codes covering potential application to areas such as heat transfer and cooling, the design of rotating machinery, and mechanical equipment failure analysis, were submitted and accepted by the COSMIC system. In a short time, many requests to purchase these codes have been received. Twenty-two requests were made for a heat-transfer analysis code, 20 orders were received for a code that simplifies the design of rotating machinery, and 31 inquiries were made for a computer program that simplifies the selection of structural steel columns.

It is difficult to predict which Tech Briefs will arouse great interest. An example was the Tech Brief announcing a collection of data on thermophysical properties of alloys prepared for use in the nuclear rocket program. Serious information voids existed regarding the thermophysical properties of a number of alloys of aluminum, beryllium, stainless steel, and titanium. A contract was let to Purdue University to fill-in these gaps, wherever feasible, through theoretical or semi-empirical considerations. The Purdue report was announced as a document to "fill-in a small area of thermophysical properties knowledge" in

an AEC-NASA Tech Brief in March 1967. Since that time over 100 inquiring organizations have requested copies of the Purdue report. While it is serving its purpose within the nuclear rocket program, it has now become a useful reference tool to designers and engineers working in many nonaerospace as well as aerospace applications.

A Tech Brief on welding standards, prepared as a result of work at the Nuclear Rocket Development Station, has yielded the most popular SNPOoriginated disclosure to date. Much of the fabrication work at NRDS requires an extremely high degree of welding quality. Contractor personnel located at the site created a welding "standard," capable of being understood by the average welder. The welding guide was announced in a Tech Brief in June 1967, and resulted in 350 inquiries since that time. Requests for information continue at a high rate. Furthermore, with this Tech Brief, we have reached the individual journeyman welder to an extensive degree.

In another instance a Tech Brief was issued which described a simple, economical method of improving the performance of machines which employ electric sparks to cut metal. By bolting a commercially available vibrator to the spark cutting head, the average operating time was reduced to 1/16th of the previous method. The company which supplies the vibrator was sufficiently interested in this usage that it converted the Tech Brief to a Case History announcement sheet. This sheet has been distributed throughout the company's marketing organization. By any reasonable standards of evaluation it seems clear that our efforts in developing and implementing a balanced and meaningful TU program, with the guidelines established by AEC and NASA, are beginning to bear fruit. As a result, more and more of each tax dollar expended toward nuclear propulsion objectives in space will yield collateral benefits here on Earth.

SUMMARY

We are gratified to be able to report continued significant advancements in the nuclear rocket program. The high performance capability of nuclear rockets has now been demonstrated in nine consecutive, successful power reactor tests conducted at the Nuclear Rocket Development Station in Nevada. As a result of these tests and on the basis of related analyses, laboratory research, and component developments, a solid base of data and understanding has been built for development of the flight-rated NERVA engine. In the course of this technological advancement, there has been established a special capability in terms of experienced scientific and engineering personnel and in terms of unique test facilities now in being.

Development of the NERVA engine at this time would capitalize on this investment and provide a major and fundamental advance in propulsion capability. Its high specific impulse will provide a broad mission versatility for the highpayload, high-energy missions that will inevitably be included in a viable space program. It represents an advanced technology and, thereby, will help maintain this Nation's tradition of technological leadership.

NASA AUTHORIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 1969

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1968

U. S. SENATE,

COMMITTEE ON AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES,

Washington, D.C.

The committee met, pursuant to recess, at 10:00 a.m., in room 235, Old Senate Office Building, Senator Clinton P. Anderson (chairman), presiding.

Present: Senators Anderson, Young, Cannon, Smith and Percy. Also present: James J. Gehrig, staff director; Everard H. Smith, Jr., Dr. Glen P. Wilson, Craig Voorhees, and William Parker, professional staff members; Sam Bouchard, assistant chief clerk; Eilene Galloway, special consultant; Donald H. Brennan, research assistant; and Mary Rita Robbins, clerical assistant.

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN

The CHAIRMAN. The committee will please come to order.

In concluding its 3-day schedule for hearings on the nuclear rockets program the committee today will hear Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Dr. von Braun is one of the Nation's foremost experts on launch vehicle development, test and flight performance and brings with him a highly successful role of leadership in developing the Saturn series of launch vehicles. Therefore, I believe it is most appropriate that he present his views on this program. Dr. von Braun, we are very happy to have you here today.

(The biographical data of Dr. von Braun follows:)

DR. WERNHER VON BRAUN

Director, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.

Dr. Wernher von Braun is the Director of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, Ala. The Marshall Center is in charge of developing NASA's large launch vehicles and conducting related research. The Saturn space vehicles are being developed to carry out this country's goal of placing men on the Moon and returning them safely to the Earth.

Employing about 7,000 persons, the Marshall Center is capable of conducting all phases in the research and development of a large space rocket-from the conception of the idea, through design, development, fabrication, and assembly of hardware, and testing.

Among the Center's current programs are the Saturn IB, Saturn IB-Centaur, and Saturn V heavy space vehicles. The Saturn I series was successfully completed with the launch of SA-10 from Cape Kennedy on July 30, 1965. Beginning with the first launch on October 27, 1961, every flight test (there were 10 in the series) was successful. Three Pegasus meteoroid technology satellites were placed into orbit with a Saturn I launch vehicle; SA-8, SA-9 and SA-10.

The Marshall Space Flight Center also provided and launched five modified Redstone rockets for the Mercury man-in-space program of NASA. The Redstone booster successfully placed a chimpanzee, Ham, and two astronauts., Alan B. Shepard, Jr., and Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, in sub-orbital flights.

Dr. von Braun was born in Wirsitz, Germany, on March 23, 1912.

He was awarded a bachelor's degree at the age of 20 by the University of Berlin. Two years later, in 1934, he received his doctorate in physics at the same institution.

In 1930 he joined a group of inventors who constituted the German Society for Space Travel. In 1932 he was employed by the Ordnance Department of the German Government. From 1932 until 1937 he was chief of a small rocket development station near Berlin. The liquid-fueled rockets identified as A-1, A-2, and A-3, forerunners of the V-2, were developed there.

He became technical director of the Peenemuende Rocket Center in 1937. The V-2 was developed there. In the closing months of World War II he led more than 100 of his fellow scientists to the West and surrendered to the allied powers. Dr. von Braun came to the U.S. in September, 1945, under contract to the U.S. Army. He directed high altitude firings of captured V2 rockets at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Later he became project director of a guided missile development unit at Ft. Bliss, Tex., which employed some 120 of his Peenemuende colleagues. In 1950 the entire group was transferred to Huntsville, Ala., where the Army centered its rocketry activity.

Dr. von Braun and about 80 of his associates and their families received American citizenship in Huntsville, on April 14, 1955.

The Army Ballistic Missile Agency development team which Dr. von Braun headed was transferred to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1960 at the direction of the President. The group was made responsible for developing and launching NASA's large space vehicles.

At the Huntsville installation, Dr. von Braun directed the development of the 200-mile Redstone rocket, which was America's first large ballistic rocket. Later the von Braun group developed the Jupiter IRBM. The Pershing rocket development program was also directed by Dr. von Braun.

Special versions of the Redstone, the Jupiter C, and the Juno II were used by the von Braun team in launching the Western World's first satellites of the Earth and Sun, Explorer I and Pioneer IV, and the first successful space flight and recovery of animal life.

Dr. von Braun has received many professional and scholastic honors for his leading role in rocketry and space research activity. In 1959 he was presented the distinguished Federal Civilian Service Award by the President of the United States.

STATEMENT OF DR. WERNHER VON BRAUN, DIRECTOR, MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, ACCOMPANIED BY WILLIS H. SHAPLEY, ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, NASA; AND MILTON KLEIN, MANAGER, SPACE NUCLEAR PROPULSION OFFICE, NASA/AEC Dr. VON BRAUN. Mr. Chairman, I have a prepared statement. May I read it into the record?

The CHAIRMAN. Yes, go right ahead.

Dr. VON BRAUN. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee: Thank you for this opportunity to present to the committee my views on the nuclear rocket program.

IMPORTANCE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

First, let me say that I have reviewed the comprehensive statement Mr. Klein has presented and I fully support his testimony to the committee. I am convinced that nuclear propulsion is a must for our future space needs. At the same time, I am equally convinced that it is im