Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-27
SPACE

SFANE
Continued From First Page
q mechanical ground-scanning
system" for use in the lunar
probes"
So Million Allotted
Eight million dollars has been
Get aside for the moon-shoot-
ing projects, PentagOn Research
Director Roy w. johnson said.
MIR. Johnson's announcement
reflected the Administrators
growing awareneSs Of public in
terest in outer space.
I'VE would prefer to an
uounce these programs when
we are sure Of success rather
than merely announcing that
the work has been authorized"
Mr.. johnson said.
However, public interest in
knowing more about the coun-
try's programs in space ex-
ploration is so high that it was
decided to release this infor-
nation, and at the same time
advise the public that it is i'm
possible to put a timetable on
successful accomplishment of
these efforts" r.
Want Close Scrutiny
DR.. Herbert p. York, chief
scientist Of the Pentagon re-.
search agency, told newsmen
the probing" efforts of the
two services will be designed
not to hit the moon but to get
a close look at it. He suggested
that 10000 miles from the sur
face of our satellite would be a
comfortable distance from
which to scan the moon to good
scientific advantage.
I'VE could get closer. but an
approach within 10000 miles
would give US useful data" DR..
York said.
The possibility that some Of
the moon probing gadgets
might hit the lunar surface was
not discounted. However, there
was a question of how much
useful information would be
obtained if the proiectile should
hit the moon and all its instru-
ments should be destroyed.
White House Announcement
The White House announce
ment of the dramatic new pro-
grams said:
Since numerous test rocket
launchings will probably be
required in the lunar probe
effort, it is not intended to
offer a timetable for successful
accomplishment of these under
takings, or to speculate on
probable dates. Work in prep
aration for these lunar probes
has been proceeding for some
time.
ain approving these projects
the President indicated that
when and If a civilian space
agency is created, the projects
will be reviewed to determine
which would be under the direc-
ton of the Department of De-
Tense and which would be under
the direction of the new
agency"
The document made public
by the White House last night
held out the hope that 10 years
from today. the President of
the United States conceivably
could be welcoming Americas
first space hero on his safe
return from the moon.
To get him there and safely
back, the United States gov
eminent would have spent in
the neighborhood Of 50 billion.
This was the picture of the
possible future painted by 10
of the Nations leading scien-
lists in the 4,O00-word docu-
ment hailed by the President as
''the most interesting and fas-
cinating thing in this field that
] have seem"
The Chief Executive COM
Imended the report to the atten-
ton Of every American, and
urged that 1t be given the
widest possible publication.
Challenges Imagination
Although there is in the re-
port little that has not been
known for years to scientists
and those on the fringes Of
science. the average layman
will share Mr.. Eisenhower's en-
thusiasm. Simply written. the
report avoids sensationalism
and warns throughout that
there are many "ifs" that can
trip up the unwary in efforts
70 cross the threshold Of space
Yet from the start. the re-
BORT challenges the imagination
~