MAN WILL TRAVEL SOLAR SYSTEM

Senator SYMINGTON. Thank you, Dr. Petrone.

Dr. Paine, do you believe in manned space flight beyond the moon and think that we should prepare for it?

Dr. PAINE. There is no question in my mind, Senator Symington, that we are only at the very first steps of man in space. It has been possible for us in the first decade of space to extend man's reach all the way out to the moon and for the next decade in space, we will largely be confined to the lunar area. But in the decades to come and particularly in the centuries to come, there is no question in my mind that men will indeed travel throughout the solar system.

Senator SYMINGTON. Dr. Petrone, do you agree with that?

Dr. PETRONE. Absolutely, sir. I think the years ahead will allow us to take those steps. There is no question of our capability in the decades and the centuries ahead.

Senator SYMINGTON. Mr. Lunney, your thoughts?

Mr. LUNNEY. Yes, sir. I believe we will do that someday. I do not know when. I recall awhile back when we were first playing with airplanes, then building them and flying them. The history of the business of flight has come so far in the last 50 years that even to attempt to predict where it is going to go in the next 50 I think is taking a risk. But it is going up.

Senator SYMINGTON. Captain Lovell, how do you and your colleagues

feel about this?

Astronaut LOVELL. I think, sir, I can speak for just about everybody in the flight group of the future of our space travel. It is our only regret, perhaps, that we might be too old, those of us aboard now, to go to Mars.

Senator SYMINGTON. Thank you. All I can say is you all make me very proud this morning to be an American. [Applause.]

The CHAIRMAN. Senator Curtis?

Senator CURTIS. I want to say to you, Captain Lovell and Mr. Swigert, you have done more to increase the attendance of this committee than anything that I know of. And that applies to the spectators and the press, too.

I would like to ask you, Mr. Swigert, are they giving you a bad time on your tax matter?

Astronaut SWIGERT. No, sir. It seems that I have met somebody who knows the Director, so I think I am safe.

Senator CURTIS. In case he cannot get it done, I have spent a couple of decades on the tax-writing committees of both the House and the Senate as has the distinguished chairman, Chairman Anderson. While I have made it a rule not to intercede on behalf of individual taxpayers on the merits of their claims, I will violate that rule if necessary.

Astronaut SWIGERT. Thank you, sir.

Senator CURTIS. Dr. Paine, I want to take exception to one statement you made in your presentation. You referred to what has happened as a failure. I would rather describe it as experiencing an accident and accept that as not a failure. Someone, and I do not recall who it was, said that civilization moves forward on stepping stones

of tragedy. That no doubt is true. The very sad and unfortunate fire that we had a few years ago in which three brave men, White, Chaffee, and Grissom lost their lives, has caused the concentration and the success in developing fire-resistant, fireproof materials that will be of benefit to every man, woman, and child in America and beyond.

Is that not true?

Dr. PAINE. Yes, we have made very substantial progress.

Senator CURTIS. Mr. Chairman, I have a question for Dr. Paine and four for Dr. Petrone, but under the circumstances, I would like to submit those to them for answering in the record.

The CHAIRMAN. They will be handed to them and they can reply to them for the record.

(The questions submitted by Senator Curtis and the answers supplied for the record by Dr. Paine and Dr. Petrone are as follows:)

FOREIGN COOPERATION DURING APOLLO 13 MISSION

Question 1. (a) Dr. Paine, the news media reported that during the difficulties of Apollo 13, the United States received offers for assistance from many countries: they offered their ships, stopped radio transmissions on certain frequencies during critical periods, and so forth. Again with the spirit of international cooperation engendered by the space program, nations moved to cooperate with one another and people around the world were drawn closer together. I wonder if you would comment on this for the committee and place in the record a detailed statement of the cooperation offered the United States during the Apollo 13 mission.

(b) How many people around the world followed the Odyssey of Apollo 13? Would you get the State Department to prepare a paper or report on the effect the Apollo 13 mission had on U.S. relations with other nations and states around the world?

Answer: (a) As soon as the word went out that Apollo 13 had encountered a grave emergency, governments in all quarters of the world hastened to offer their assistance. There were messages to the President, ministerial telephone calls in the early morning hours to our embassies, telegrams to U.S. Navy and Air Force authorities, and telegrams and phone calls to the Administrator of NASA. Some countries alerted their naval and air units and placed them at our disposal. Others offered the use of communications and other facilities. Still others asked to be informed of whatever requirement we might have and promised to cooperate to the full extent of their ability. All offers expressed deep sympathy and concern. As it turned out, our own resources were adequate to bring the Apollo crew back safely. This in no way detracts from the importance of these offers of assistance nor from our gratitude for them. The assistance so freely volunteered, as well as the many expressions of sympathy from our friends throughout the world, were important sources of encouragement and confidence. They demonstrate the extent to which other nations and other peoples sense that they share the adventures of space. They reflect the spirit of cooperation that invests the exploration of space, a spirit that we believe our own emphasis on working with others has done much to foster.

Messages offering assistance were received from the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Burundi, the Republic of China, Colombia, Cook Islands, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Malagasy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, the Soviet Union, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Arab Republic, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

In addition, leaders in some 80 countries sent cordial messages of sympathy, support and congratulations concerning the plight and recovery of the Apollo 13

astronauts.

Answer (b). From the Department of State: Memorandum; to Arnold W. Frutkin, Assistant Administrator, International Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; from Herman Pollack, Director, Bureau of International Scientific and Technological Affairs, Department of State; subject, Effect of Apollo-13 Mission on America's Foreign Affairs.

In response to your memorandum of April 28 forwarding Senator Curtis' request for a State Department assessment of the effect of the Apollo-13 mission on U.S. relations with other nations and states around the world, we are pleased to submit the attached statement which you may wish to make available to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences.

Enclosures: Statement on "Effect of the Apollo-13 Mission on America's Foreign Relations."

MAY 20, 1970.

EFFECT OF THE APOLLO-13 MISSION ON AMERICA'S FOREIGN RELATIONS

As part of his testimony on April 6 of this year, Dr. Paine submitted to the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences the State Department's assessment of the effect of our total space program on American foreign relations. This report demonstrated the several ways in which the space program has had an important and highly beneficial effect on our posture on the world and on our foreign relations. The prestige which the United States has gained in the eyes of the world as a result of the space program comes only partly from the program's unprecedented success. Other important factors include its contributions to science and to commerce and the free and unfettered openness with which it has been conducted.

Even though it failed to meet its primary objective, the Apollo-13 mission was an overwhelmingly impressive demonstration of technical prowess and disciplined human skill. Contingency procedures designed in advance to cope with such an emergency, combined with disciplined and precise improvisation by hundreds of men working under extraordinary stress, culminated in the safe return of the Apollo-13 astronauts.

It is difficult to estimate with any precision the impact of the events of that week on the peoples of the world, but there is no question that it was considerable. As soon as the emergency developed, messages of concern and offers of help began to stream in from nearly every corner of the world. Several of the world's larger navies were put on alert, as were the merchant fleets of many nations. Even small nations such as Trinidad and Tobago offered the services of their Coast Guard. As the time of splash-down approached a number of ships in the southwest Pacific were diverted from their courses so as to be nearer at hand in case of need.

Another example of the willingness of the world's nations to assist was provided by the response to NASA's request that radio silence be maintained on frequencies assigned to Apollo-13 during the critical phase of the spacecraft's return to earth. Not a single case of radio interference was reported on these frequencies, which; in the words of Dr. Paine, represents "a genuine tribute to all the nations of the world who unselfishly shut down or otherwise restricted national services to assist in an emergency situation never experienced before." A message expressing America's deep appreciation for this cooperation was sent to all nations in which we have diplomatic posts.

It has been estimated that approximately half a billion people watched last July's moon walk on live television. The U.S. Information Agency estimates that the audience on April 17 may have been even larger. The streets of major cities throughout the world were deserted as people stayed indoors to watch and listen. When it became clear that the astronauts were safe, a wave of spontaneous relief and joy was expressed, punctuated in some cities by the ringing of church bells. A flood of messages of congratulation from kings, prime ministers and ordinary citizens descended on Washington and on our embassies and consulates abroad. The press and other media of foreign nations, which had been following the events with growing excitement for several days, were, with a few exceptions, warm in their praise, not only citing the courage of the astronauts and the technical achievement but giving prominent attention to the fact that our policy of freely sharing the Apollo missions with the peoples of the world, which had served us so well on earlier missions, had stood the test of a period of trial and anxiety.

A more complete assessment of media reaction throughout the world, prepared by the U.S. Information Agency, is appended to this report.

After the burst of enthusiasm felt by most of the world toward our country at the time of the moon walk had subsided we were left with a substantial residue of admiration and prestige which, while impossible to measure in quantitative terms, continues to be of real value with respect to our posture in the world and our relations abroad. The manner in which our space team conducted itself during

the emergency in the Apollo-13 mission, the fact that other nations could make a positive contribution to the rescue effort through maintaining radio silence, and the successful recovery of the astronauts have all helped in significantly deepening these impacts of the space program on America's foreign relations.

U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY-MAY 5, 1970

FOREIGN MEDIA REACTIONS TO APOLLO-13

The Apollo-13 flight and the safe return of the astronauts evoked a remarkable international response of official and popular concern followed by relief and warm congratulations. Kings, presidents, and prime ministers directed congratulatory messages from their people to the President, the nation, the astronauts, and the NASA support team on the ground.

Television and radio coverage of the splashdown was probably at its highest peak for any single event in history, apparently surpassing even that of the actual walk on the moon by Apollo-11.

Several hundred Czech viewers called the Prague station to protest the lack of live coverage of the splashdown. Czech television had adhered to its scheduled program of Husak at a Lenin birthday celebration, but it did show the splashdown later on tape. At Bujumbura, the President of Burundi made an unprecedented and surprise visit on the Ambassador after the flight. Arriving in his own car without an official driver, the President stayed for more than an hour to extend his congratulations. In another typical reaction, the Tunisian Prime Minister personally telephoned the Ambassador to express the joy and pride of the Tunisians in this great accomplishment.

Foreign media comment revealed that the flight may have had an impact on the image of the U.S. abroad. Specifically, media comment on the flight stressed the following positive points:

(1) The flight increased awareness of men everywhere of our common concerns and unified them through their mutual hopes for the safety of Apollo-13.

(2) The openness of American society allowed the rest of the world to share this experience.

(3) The safe return of Apollo-13 indicated the high level of technical competence in America.

(4) The courage of the crew and the superb performance of the ground personnel illustrated the finest qualities of contemporary America. Some media comment was seasoned with reservations concerning the risks of manned spaceflight and the wisdom of devoting major resources to the Apollo program when there is so much that needs attention on earth, but these negative aspects were overwhelmed nearly everywhere by enthusiastic and positive reactions.

Representative media comment on each of these themes follows:

United Mankind . . .

Hamburg's independent Die Welt discerned "a spirit of cosmopolitan solidarity" in offers of an international rescue effort which "will leave its traces in the hearts of mankind . . .”

"... if the people on earth can be brought together in solving other issues as they were over the Apollo-13 incident, it will not be difficult to achieve peace in the world. Apollo-13 pointed to the possibility of global unity for mankind." (Seoul Shinmum, Seoul)

"We do not wish to give the slightest nationalistic coloration to an event that unites the entire civilized world in a single feeling of concern." (Il Tempo, Rome) "No matter how big man gets, he remains small in this universe.' (Lisan al-Hal, Beirut)

"The spectacle of human solidarity is moving and speaks highly of the sentiments aroused in men when one of their kind is in danger in the cause of peace and progress." (El Mercurio, Chile)

"It (the flight) resulted in a more united mankind . . . It favored a better comprehension among men . ." (Corriere della Sera, Milan)

The Openness of American Society. . .

"The Americans ran a considerable risk by agreeing from the outset to say everything and show everything about their space programs, regardless of what this might subsequently cost them. It is only right that they now be rewarded for this." (Le Monde, Paris)

"America, committed as she is to an open system, places not only her triumphs but also her failures in the harsh glare of world publicity and world criticism . . ." (Trinidad Guardian)

"The frankness, innocence almost, in the American way of life spares us none of the terrifying risks. But it also denies us none of the glory." (Daily Mail, London) "Four thousand newsmen from all over the world were able to attend the exciting beginning of the first moon mission last July. About the same number of newsmen share the drama of the Apollo-13 crew. So the Americans have brought us the most exciting adventures of man-in times of triumph as well as those involving great fear." (Corriere della Sera, Milan)

"Perhaps Russian astronauts have met these perils, too. But unlike the Americans, they do not publicize their adventures as they happen. The Americans take the blame with the praise and share their anxieties, as they happen, with the world. . ." (Guardian, Manchester and London)

A Feat of Technology . .

"The superb quality of the technology of Apollo is beyond reproach . . . The final result was a triumph for human courage, teamwork, and technological brilliance." (Times, London)

"If they had taken place in Africa, earlier events would have prompted a postponement of the launch because they would have been taken as an ominous portent. But the U.S. is not superstitious like us. It is a highly scientific country which does not entertain such irrational considerations.” (Togo-Presse, Lonne) "SPACECRAFT ACCIDENT PERMITTED NASA TO SHOW ABSOLUTE MASTERY OF IMPONDERABLES" (Headline, Combat, Paris)

"By coping with the unexpected, NASA has demonstrated mastery. Before yesterday, the conquest of space was only a reasoned but total gamble on the quality of the equipment. From now on it is also an enterprise which . . . can allow technical failure." (Le Monde, Paris)

"The return was a victory for science by no means less important than launching a spaceship to the moon," because this is the first time "science and the human mind have been put to the test of recovering a crippled spaceship and its astronauts safely." (al-Jarida, Beirut)

"If the recovery attempt succeeds, it will be another and more convincing and extraordinary feat of the technological and scientific capacity of the American nation." (Il Tempo, Rome)

"Apollo-13, the aborted, crippled, misfortune-dogged third mission to the moon. represents a greater landmark in man's struggle to master his environment than if it had reached its destination." (Hindustan Times, New Delhi)

Admiration for the Crew and Ground Personnel . . .

"The wonderful Apollo-13 astronauts have all the characteristics of "Homo Americans". They are examples of 21st century man. . ." (Il Tempo, Rome) "No man has ever been more alone than the three men cramped inside. Now we see the true courage of the moonmen. No stranger has ever felt closer to our hearts." (Daily Mail, London)

"The reaction of NASA and of the Apollo crew has been remarkable... Irony and humor sprinkled the dialogue . . ." (Combat, Paris)

"With Apollo-11 the astronaut asserted himself as the finest product of American civilization. With Apollo-13 he regains a human look . . ." (Le Monde, Paris) "Apollo-13 means we must admire the men, their preparation, their great courage, and their ability." (Il Popolo, Rome)

"Far more valuable, more significant than success has been this saga of man's courage and resilience in the face of misfortune. The machine failed; man did not . . ." (Hindustan Times, New Delhi)

"We do not find words to express our admiration for the quiet, imperturbable courage with which the three astronauts are facing this terrible crisis and for the faultless manner in which they are working emergency maneuvers to save themselves from catastrophe." (Het Volk, Belgium)

"The courage of the astronauts exceeds all measure." (Diairo de Noticias, Rio de Janiero)

ABORT PROCEDURES

Question 2. Dr. Petrone, a question about the abort procedures which were used on the Apollo 13 mission. Had these generally been worked out ahead of time or were they all improvised to meet this specific situation?