3. Copernicus Central Peaks Copernicus is a relatively young large crater south of Mare Imbrium. Chart MA71-5025 shows an oblique view taken by the Lunar Orbiter. A mission to its floor, four kilometers below the rim crest of the crater, would examine materials and structures of the central peaks and floor. The central peaks, which rise 800 meters above the crater floor, probably represent material from deep within the Moon (10 to 20 kilometers deep) that was brought to its present position by a rebound process induced by the shock of the impact event that formed the crater. Age determinations of the cratering event of the central peaks material of the subsequent crater filling and of later modifications will provide "absolute" ages for major events in the Moon's surface history.

Lunar Supporting Research and Technology and Data Analysis

Our continuous program of supporting research and data analysis for lunar exploration gives first priority to manned missions to the Moon-the Apollo Programs-without neglecting other means of lunar exploration; Earth-based observations, data from earlier automated spacecraft, and potential future programs.

To provide a body of scientific knowledge of lunar surface and to incorporate new information are the functions of our Supporting Research and Tecnology (SR&T) Program for lunar science and our companion program for data analysis. The SR&T Program provides balanced support through many research efforts: Earth-based observations of the Moon for types of data not otherwise available (selected wavelengths, lighting angles, libration, etc.); study of Earth surface features similar to those on the Moon (craters, lava flows); laboratory simulation of likely lunar processes and environment (solar radiation, effect of meteorite impact); meteorite analysis and interpretation which supports lunar sample analysis and interpretation, and which also bears on the evolution of Earth and other parts of the solar system; theoretical studies bearing on the original development, internal properties, and environment of the Moon (composition, structure, thermal history); development of scientific experiment concepts and definition of advanced instruments appropriate to perform outstanding scientific experiments on later missions in orbit or on the surface of the Moon; studies of advanced missions (manned and automated) and lunar base concepts.

Long term analysis of data from Apollo will play a most important part in any future manned or unmanned lunar activities. We reap the harvest in this area long after the flight missions have been concluded. Funding requirements in these supporting areas are small, but they are of major importance.

WHAT FOLLOWS APOLLO?

After Apollo 17 further manned lunar exploration is not planned for a decade or more. The extensive scientific data returned by the Apollo Program will be analyzed with great care. Certainly the analysis of the returned lunar material will continue for some years. We hope to have sufficient data to answer the first order questions posed by the scientific community. As stated by the Space Science Board "... the Apollo missions do not simply represent the study of a specific small planet but rather form the keystone for a near-term understanding of planetary evolution."

The importance of exploration of the Moon is recognized by the Soviet Union. Although all of their missions have been automated, the recent frequency has been substantially greater than ours and shows no sign of diminishing. Their two latest missions represent particularly significant technical and scientific achievements. Luna 16 landed on the Moon, retrieved some lunar material, and returned it safely to Earth. In November 1970 Luna 17 delivered to the Moon an automated roving vehicle, Lunokhod I, which has been conducting photography and coarse chemical analyses as it traverses the surface. USSR scientists have given numerous indications that they plan similar but more advanced missions.

We are continuing to strive toward improving coordination and cooperation between the Soviet program and ours. Recent discussions increase the likelihood of more progress in this area. For example, agreement has just been reached to exchange three grams from Luna 16 for three grams from Apollo 11 and 12. This action will be of great mutual benefit to both scientific communities.

The Apollo data represent the key input on future decisions regarding the lunar programs that we undertake. There will likely be a future shift in emphasis from understanding the Moon to utilization of the Moon for the benefit of mankind. The steps in implementing this shift are more difficult to foresee.

We are currently conducting limited studies on the value and feasibility of an automated extension of lunar exploration for the time period between Apollo and a possible second generation manned exploration program. Such a program could extend our Apollo ground knowledge to other areas of the Moon, including sites too hazardous for men, and could provide an intermediate step in building toward manned lunar base operations in the future. A low level study effort is now underway to access the value of such missions and their impact on other NASA programs. One approach that may be advantageous is to make minimum modifications to the Viking spacecraft and perform a series of Lunar Viking missions.

In the 1980 decade we envision the resumption of manned lunar exploration leading to utilization of the Moon. Some scientists predict that a permanent lunar base will be warranted. Such a base could serve as the center for long range duration exploration of the surface, and for other science, applications, and technological research using the Moon's unique location and environment (Chart MA71-5372).

The Moon, after all, is a space station continually circling Earth. Various types of instruments could provide long-term monitoring of Earth and its environment, complementing the close-in Earth satellites. Its lack of an atmosphere and noise sources make it an excellent platform for optical and radio astronomy.

The Moon's very high vacuum, low gravity, and low magnetic field provide a high potential for a laboratory for high energy physics and for special engineering and manufacturing tasks. Its low gravity provides an excellent setting for medical testing.

We find that the lunar material is firm enough to support structures and yet can be easily dug or moved for shelters or protective barriers. Moonquakes and meteorites do not seem to be a hazard.

At a base, lunar resources would be used to the extent possible to make the base self-supporting. Recent studies indicate that both water and oxygen could be produced from the lunar soil. Our analysis shows that the soil has a high percentage of iron oxide. By using a solar furnace and introducing hydrogen, both water and oxygen can be obtained. Theoretically, 14 pounds of water could be produced from 100 pounds of iron oxide. The water can then be separated into oxygen and hydrogen, if desired. With this concept, perhaps oxygen could be used not only to support life but also to propel space vehicles.

Summary

We are making great strides in understanding our sister planet-the Moon. We are learning how Earth and Moon are alike, and how they differ. The The Moon is a keeper of records missing on our own planet. By increasing the understanding of our past, we can better predict our future-a task of everincreasing importance.

Already our returns from the lunar program are teaching us new things from Earth. For example, new evidence exists to address the long standing question about the formation of granite. Other geochemistry data first noted in lunar rocks have now been observed in Earth rocks.

About the Moon itself, it seems clear that wide-scale melting occurred either at its time of formation or shortly thereafter. This was followed over at least the next billion years by a series of localized meltings caused by internal heat or metorite impacts. This melting, plus the magnetism in the returned rocks and the magnetic anomalies detected on the lunar surface, all suggest that the early Moon was rotating and had a liquid core. It is difficult to reconcile this evidence with the fact that the present day Moon's gravitational anomalies, magnetic response to the solar wind, lack of deep seismic events, and surface structure all indicate that today the Moon has either a very small or no molten core. No evidence of life forms or significant amounts of water have yet been found.

Our three remaining Apollo flights will have greatly increased capability. Our remaining landing sites will be more difficult operationally and more complex scientifically.

We are also conducting limited studies on the desirability and feasibility of automated lunar programs after the conclusion of the Apollo Program and before the probable reinstatement of manned flights in the 1980's.

We have gained increased confidence in use of the Moon as a platform in space from the simple laser reflectors of today to the potential laboratories of the future.

The Moon represents a steppingstone into space. It is almost planetary in size and is one of the few bodies in our solar system that is of the right size and distance from the Sun to be able to support manned activities on its surface. Because it is close to Earth as compared to other planetary bodies, lunar expeditions will some day become technologically and economically feasible. If man is indeed destined to go out into space, then the Moon is the logical provingground and the first great step.

EARTH OBSERVATIONS PROGRAMS

The broad objective of the Earth Observations Programs is to conduct research and development leading to the application of aerospace technology and appropriate measurement techniques to the investigation, and hence better understanding, of Earth's total environment. Man's environmet is complex. It has three major interacting components: the atmosphere, the oceans, and the land masses. The environment is dynamic in that it responds to forces which are internal and external to Earth. Knowledge of the dynamic processes is required if man is to exercise better control of his environment.

To gain information about the components of Earth's environment on a global scale, the Earth Observations Programs has three major elements: an Earth Resources Surveys Program, a Meteorology Program, and an Earth Physics Program. These programs are structured to provide space derived data that are essential to scientists and resource managers in the disciplines of meteorology, climatology, hydrology, oceanography, agriculture, forestry, geology, geography, and geophysics. These data are needed to enable scientists to develop both descriptive and predictive techniques which will help mankind to better manage his activities and his utilization of the finite resources on our planet.

Accurate prediction requires the capability to introduce information that has been extracted from data into a method of logic that makes such reliable prediction possible. This method of logic will be referred to as "models." For instance a mathematical model of the atmosphere is used for weather forecasting. These models must include the laws of nature. They must be structured in a way that they can accept information derived from remote sensing techniques and from other sources. They must also be structured in a way that will allow alternative actions to be tested in the model to predict results that will be based on the best and most recent information available. This type of capability will provide managers and decision makers with the ability to test the results of actions that are under consideration and to implement the actions that appear most beneficial.

EARTH RESOURCES SURVEY

The interaction of man with his total planetary environment is creating increasingly severe pressures upon man himself and upon the ability of the planet Earth to support him. The supply of Earth's resources-air, food, water, minerals, energy sources-is not limitless; the demands upon these resources levied by a maturing technological world society are increasing. If the quality of human life is not to diminish, generation by generation, man must find the way to live in harmony with the physical world he inhabits, balancing his growing needs against the long-term ability of Earth to satisfy them. Today, man does not have all the fundamental information about, and understanding of, the interrelations between himself and his activities and the environment; therefore, he cannot make all necessary responsible decisions about his own activities which exploit, modify, or conserve the resources he depends upon for life.

The future seems to lie inevitably down one of two roads: either the rational use of science and technology in the long-term management of the environment as a whole, or the eventual irreversible despoiling of mankind's habitat, his home planet. Today, aerospace technology and interdisciplinary science together provide a key new capability that can make major contributions to rational resources management. First, we are learning how to gather data about Earth rapidly and easily remote sensing combined with a variety of surface. airborne, and space platforms can now give us an integrated overview previously difficult or impossible to obtain. In turn. we are learning to extract from data a new class of information about Earth. information that is necessary for making decisions in man's self-interest. We foresee the development of interrelated physical models of Earth and its environment, models which will predict not only the natural course of resource and environmental conditions but also the effects of proposed