vehicles, from $75.9 million to $87.1 million. It also continues the nuclear rocket program with a slight increase, $36.5 to $38 million. The major change has been that resulting from closure of the Electronics Research Center and with it, a reduction in electronics systems work. There has also been an attempt to concentrate effort on technologies required for the space station and space shuttle and, in the aeronautical vehicle program, to concentrate to a greater degree on the V-STOL systems work in response to requirements of the Department of Transportation. Now, as you know, the one line item shown for aeronautical vehicles, (see fig. 10) is only one part of the total aeronautics program. The research and development on aeronautics goes across basically the total line item structure of the Office of Advanced Research and Technology. A total increase of approximately $6 million is provided in fiscal year 1971. The next line shows the research and program management effort in support of aeronautics going down a little bit from $85.1 to $83.5 million, which is principally as a result of the closure of ERC. And you see, the total amount at the bottom going up, $168 to $186, then $185 million. You might recall in fiscal year 1970 there was authorized and we do plan to build the aircraft noise reduction facility at Langley in the amount authorized at $4.8 million. The number of NASA employees working on aeronautics within NASA, as you can see, is a little over 10 percent of our NASA personnel. MAJOR FLIGHT MISSIONS INCLUDED IN FY'71 PROGRAM Now with regard to the remaining items, tracking and data acquisition, goes up slightly, $278 to $298 million. With the details you have before you, you will see a slight reduction in operations but an increase in replacement equipment for the networks. The sustaining university program, as you recall, reached its peak effort back in the early sixties when we had a level of approximately $45 million. For the last 2 years it has been at about $9 million and in fiscal 1970 it is $7 million; however, there is no request for funds in fiscal year 1971. Although this particular program has been discontinued, it does not mean that all effort or money going from NASA to universities is being terminated. The sustaining university program was applied to items that went across the board and were not specifically geared to individual program requirements. NASA still will have in the fiscal years 1970-71 budgets, approximately $88 to $90 million going into university effort that is program oriented. As you can see, the technology utilization program has dropped from $5 to $4 million. In terms of totals for the research and development appropriation we have dropped from $3.1 billion in fiscal 1970 to $2.6 billion in fiscal 1971. That, Mr. Chairman, is a quick run through. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Lilly. Senator Smith? Senator SMITH of Maine. I have no questions at this time, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Stennis? MISSISSIPPI TEST FACILITY Senator STENNIS. Well, Mr. Chairman, I do not have any questions about specific items in the budget. However, I would like to ask a few general questions. I am naturally interested in the test facility in my own State, but my interest is not limited just to this facility. I have had a chance to talk with Dr. Paine about this matter and I appreciate his concern. FISCAL YEAR 1971 ESTIMATES-CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY FOR AVIATION TECHNOLOGY You say that upon the cessation of the testing for the Saturn V this facility will be placed in mothballs, but you will continue to see what the possibilities are for some additional uses. Now, I judge that one of your motives in wanting to utilize it for additional uses by the Government is because of the tremendous investment that you have there. Is that right, Doctor? Dr. PAINE. Yes, Senator Stennis. As you know, we have a $400 million investment, an investment which we think could very well be used in the future. Therefore, we do not plan to dispose of this facility but to keep it in a caretaker status and, in the meantime, it will be very much to our advantage to find additional activities to carry out there. Senator STENNIS. And if you should return to any program that utilizes the Saturn or some other vehicle like the Saturn, you would probably reactivate the facility, is that right? Dr. PAINE. That is correct. Senator STENNIS. I want to ask one thing specifically now about your efforts there. The people are greatly concerned. People are there from many States, not just the State that I am privileged to represent. You are actively looking for other activities within the Government that could take advantage of this investment without in any way impairing its possible future use as a NASA test facility. That is correct, is it not? Dr. PAINE. We are looking very vigorously, right across the Government. Senator STENNIS. Now, as an illustration you have a tremendous computer system at this facility which I understand is one of the finest in all the world, and it is possible that this system could be utilized by other agencies to great advantage. Is that not correct? Dr. PAINE. Yes, and Senator STENNIS. That is one of the illustrations. Dr. PAINE. That is a good one because as you recall, we did utilize this in the operation BOMEX, the Barbados oceanographic and meteorological experiment, and it is this kind of use by other agencies that we are seeking. Senator STENNIS. Yes. And you also have ultramodern buildings and equipment for repair and working or changing electronic and other devices; is that not correct? Dr. PAINE. Yes, sir. It is a first-class facility. Senator STENNIS. Mr. Chairman, I am dwelling on this a little because I think this situation applies with the same force throughout the Nation to some of these facilities that NASA is temporarily, I hope, not going to be using to full capacity. I have looked into it enough to see that there appear to be tremendous possibilities for use by various departments of the Government of some of the most ultramodern facilities anywhere in the world, and I just hope that the Government will utilize these existing facilities rather than build additional ones. I found Dr. Paine to be a very humane, very understanding man in addition to his executive abilities as Administrator of NASA. We are most grateful for his interest. If I may add here, and I am sure it is true in other places throughout the Nation, these counties havenot just one but these two-bonded themselves beyond their means in order to provide the facilities like schools, and other things, for the benefit of the personnel at this facility, and on that basis, of course, they are entitled to consideration, and they have been getting it. They have been getting it from NASA. I hope, Doctor, and I believe that you will continue your efforts. The primary mission, of course, is to preserve this test facility for possible future use by NASA, and to make it worthwhile to the Government for the present. I want to especially thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Curtis? ELECTRONIC RESEARCH CENTER Senator CURTIS. What is the target date for closing the Electronic Research Center? Dr. PAINE. June 30. Senator CURTIS. This coming June. Dr. PAINE. Yes, sir. Senator HOLLAND. I did not hear the answer. Dr. PAINE. June 30 of this year, 1970. Senator CURTIS. What is the status of the termination activity at this time? Dr. PAINE. We are working with the personnel up there to help them to find other positions. At the same time in a parallel effort we are looking throughout the Government to see whether any other Government activity could utilize both the physical facility and also any of the team that we have assembled up there to work in electronics. At the present time this is an assignment that the President has given to Dr. Lee DuBridge to look across the Government for such uses and in NASA we are also working with the Department of Transportation, Department of Commerce, other people who are studying to see whether some part of this activity might be transferred to them. Senator CURTIS. I understand there is some construction going on or has been going on. What is the status of that? Do the plans for termination include leaving some construction and facilities incomplete or has a decision been arrived at? Mr. LILLY. The major structures there were ready for occupancy the first part of this year. We have stopped any new work but are bringing the facilities to a state that they can be preserved without any deterioration. The contracts are being adjusted accordingly by change order. Senator CURTIS. Does NASA have any financial responsibility to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority as a result of these commitments to develop the ERC site? Dr. PAINE. Senator Curtis, with your permission I will ask the NASA General Counsel, Mr. Beresford, to comment on that. I might add parenthetically that we have established a weekly meeting with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and Mr. Beresford is the NASA member who meets with them weekly in an attempt to meet not only our legal obligations which, of course, we will meet, but also our moral obligations as good citizens of the community to accomplish this transition in the smoothest possible way. Mr. Beresford. Mr. BERESFORD. In answer to that question, we do not believe we have a financial responsibility. We recognize a strong moral respon |