Evening star., 1962-09-17

"A decision has been reversed
and astronauts will continue
to be able to sell their personal
experience stories.
But some new restrictions
have been placed on the tell
ing of these stories, and the
space agency is tightening up
on the outside business activ-
tiles Of astronauts.
These decisions were made
public last night by the Ma
tional Aeronautics and Space
Administration on the eve Of the
naming of nine more spacemen.
The rule will apply to old and
new astronauts alike. and to
all regardless Of their military
or civilian status.
Kennedy Approved Policy
o. B. Lloyd, jr., director Of
public information for NASA,
denied that the new statement
represents g change in policy
regarding publication Of astro-
naut memoirs. However, it was
recalled that as late as last
May NASA spokesmen said
fatty the second group Of as
tronauts would not be per-
mitted to sell their stories, nor
would the present ones after
the end Of Project Mercury
some time next year.
The new policy was approved
personally by President Ken
nedy after extensive study
within NASA, it was learned.
There were some indications
that the White House staff
was not unanimously in favor
of the new policy.
Presidential approval was
obtained without the matter
being referred to Mr.. Kennedy's
principal advisory group on
space, the National Aeronautics
and Space Council. There were
indications that an adverse ex-
preston of opinion would have
been forthcoming had NASC
been asked to comment.
The new policy differed in
detail, but not in broad con-
cept, from q May, 1859. policy
statement issued at the time
the original seven astronautI
signed q $500. 200 personal ex-
perience contract with Life
Magazine to run the duration
Of Project Mercury.
Special Study Made
A highly placed space offcial
said privately late last night
that q mo sale" rule con-
stituted prevailing thinking
until the recent visit Of John
Glenn to Hyannis Port" Col
Glenn, first American In orbit
was the week end guest Of At
torney General and Mrs. Rob-
ert Kennedy at Cape Cod or
July 21-22.
According to Mr.. Lloyd, q
study group was appointed
about six weeks ago-late ir
July-to look into the matter
of astronsut story sales. Tht
NASA announcement last night
referred to q special grouT
within NASA that embraced
both operational and policy
levels" Mr.. Lloyd identified
these persons as:
Deputy Administrator Hugh
IL. Dryden; Manned Space
Flight Director D. BrainerC
Holmes: Mr.. Lloyd; Waltel
lLingle, special assistant to tht
administrator for public af.
fairs: Manned Space Graft
Center Director Robert r
Gilruth and his associate di-
rector, Walter c. williams, and
NASA General Counsel Johr
Johnston.
Neither the astronauts nol
their personal spokesman, 1t
Col. John A. Powers, took part
in the groups deliberations
Mr.. Lloyd said. He added, how
ever, that the aStronauts
views were solicited and they
were kept informed"
Additionally, expressions o.
opinion were also received from
Representatives Of varioui
media" the NASA spokesman
said. These were identified las
J night as Turner Catledge, man,
aging editor of the New Yorl
!, Times; Don Schanke. an execu
tive of the Saturday Evening
Post, and "the president of on
+. Of the TV networks" who's,
: name could not be recalled.
The statement said Of tn