(Following are statements submitted for the record in support of testimony given on the advanced research and technology program:)

Hermann H. Kurzweg, Chief Scientist and Chairman of the Research Council, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Richard J. Wisniewski, Director, Advanced Concepts and Missions, National Aeronautics & Space Administration

R. D. Ginter, Director, Technology Applications Office, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Gerald G. Kayten, Acting Director, STOL Technology Office, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Albert J. Evans, Director, Aerodynamics and Vehicle Systems, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Leo Fox, Director, Aeronautical Life Sciences Division, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

Albert J. Evans, Acting Director, Aeronautical Propulsion, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

George W. Cherry, Director of Aeronautical Operating Systems, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

George C. Deutsch, Director, Materials and Structures Division, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Francis J. Sullivan, Director of Guidance, Control and Information Systems, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

Gerald G. Kayten, Director, Supercritical Technology Office, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

Adelbert O. Tischler, Director, Shuttle Technologies Office, Office, of Advanced Research and Technology

William H. Woodward, Director, Space Propulsion and Power, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

H. Kurt Strass, Director, Safety and Operating Systems Office, Office of Advanced Research and Technology

Fred J. DeMeritte, Director of Entry Technology, Office of Advanced Research & Technology

Milton Klein, Manager, Space Nuclear Systems Office, National Aeronautics & Space Administration

PREPARED STATEMENT OF DR. HERMANN H. KURZWEG, CHIEF SCIENTIST AND CHAIRMAN OF THE RESEARCH COUNCIL, OFFICE OF ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

This statement is directed to the basic research activity under the cognizance of OART. It describes the nature, purpose, and value of this work and, in particular, how it is guided and coordinated by the newly created Research Council. The statement differs in nature from those of prior years because of changes in the management of Basic Research in OART; changes that permit the achievement of NASA's goals and objectives more effectively.

Because the basic research effort is of paramount importance to NASA, certain steps have been taken to modify the organizational structure that enhances the basic research program and, at the same time, provides a greater infusion of the results of research into the OART applied and technology activities. First, the diverse work of the former Basic Research Program has been combined with the appropriate, allied OART Programs. Second, the position of Chief Scientist and a Research Council have been established in OART Headquarters to oversee the entire basic research activity.

It is believed that with this new alignment a greater relevance both in accomplishing and in presenting the basic research can be fostered.

In a mission oriented agency such as NASA, programs in basic research are directed toward accomplishing the missions and goals of the agency. It is OART's continuing endeavor to seek out the best possible means of implementing and reinforcing this concept.

The approach that is presently being pursued recognizes that basic research encompasses a very multifarious and complex part of the total research effort. It is estimated that 10-15% of the total OART program is devoted to basic research, 20 to 25% of which will be allocated for university research. The program is therefore of sufficient size to warrant close attention.

In integrating the activities in basic research with those programs most likely to benefit directly from such research results, it is believed that many specific advantages can accrue, a few of which are listed below:

There will be a more timely transfer of new knowledge into new technology;

There will be a greater influence of basic research methods on the conduct of technology programs;

There will be increased opportunity for the evolution of new areas of basic research;

The recognition of technology "road-block" problems and the rendering of timely assistance will be enhanced; and

The establishment of a focal point for basic research work will help our people do the most effective job.

The organizational aspect of the basic research program with respect to consolidation, coordination, and evaluation is the responsibility of the Research Council. This Research Council, chaired by the OART Chief Scientist and composed of high level Center representatives with long years of experience in basic research and well known in the scientific community, is the driving force, the catalyst and the watchdog that ensures a positive result.

The Research Council, which reports directly to the OART Management Council has the following structure :

Dr. Hermann H. Kurzweg, OART Chief Scientist-Chairman;

Dr. John C. Evvard, Director for Advanced Research, Lewis Research Center;

Dr. John E. Duberg, Associate Director, Langley Research Center;

Mr. Alvin Seiff, Chief, Vehicle Environment Division, Ames Research Center; and

Dr. Eldon E. Kordes, Senior Staff Scientist, Flight Research Center. The Council provides a new and important avenue of communication having direct Center participation, and provides a new pipeline that extends directly from the researcher to the top managing body of OART.

In carrying out its duties, the Research Council

Follows progress and makes periodic reviews of all OART basic research activities;

Encourages and promotes the identification and support of new research ideas within OART;

Provides a focal point for interaction of OART with other government agencies, universities, and industry on matters pertaining to basic research; and

Interacts with the various committees of the OART Research and Technology Advisory Council who provide a source of advice and consultation from outside experts.

The Research Council is assuming strong leadership and is moving forward vigorously to carry out these actions. Specifically, the Council is reviewing the basic research in the following OART program areas: Aerodynamics and Vehicle Systems; Aeronautical Life Sciences: Aeronautical Propulsion; Aeronautical Operating Systems; Entry Technology; Guidance, Control and Information Systems; Materials and Structures; Space Nuclear Systems; and Space Propulsion and Power.

Several examples of the basic research being conducted in these programs and some of which are described in detail in the above program statements are given here: Analytical aerodynamics, Sonic boom analysis, Hypersonic wing heating. Engine noise prediction. Combustor and pollution reduction, Compressor stall alleviation, Solid propellant combustion, Jupiter entry heating, Machine intelligence, Beryllium doped silicon semiconductors, Graphite-fluoride solid lubricents, Long life elastomers, Solar cells, Batteries, Nuclear pumped lasers, Laser generated plasmas.

CONCLUSION

This brief discussion of the character, function, and plans of the newly created OART Research Council with the Chief Scientist as Chairman has shown that basic research is a vital part of OART's activity and will be vigorously pursued. The report can only give an overall idea what kind of problems will be attacked in a sound basic research program and how the Research Council will act as the instrument by which this kind of research will be guided and made visible in the overall OART research activity. The interplay of basic research with technology will add vitality to both and the Research Council will greatly magnify the effect of basic research on the total OART program.

PREPARED STATEMENT OF RICHARD J. WISNIEWSKI, DIRECTOR, ADVANCED CONCEPTS AND MISSIONS, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee; the program of the Advanced Concepts and Missions Division is conducted in three major areas. First, studies and analyses are conducted which relate Agency goals and the total OART program to provide future direction to our research and technology projects; second, advanced concepts which show promise of significant improvements in technology state-of-art or mission capability are identified; and finally, the future plans of OART are coordinated with the other NASA officials and external organizations.

STUDY PROGRAM

The discrete elements of technology activity must be studied in a framework of possible advanced system applications in order to assess their potential future value. Each of the OART Divisions shares responsibility for evaluating and planning the progression from concept to materials to components to subsystems to systems in their individual areas. In some program areas such as the Space Shuttle and the STOL aircraft, special offices have been set up to relate technology projects to specific near-term Agency goals. The Advanced Concepts and Missions Division has a general overview of these activities and conducts the broader studies which relate proposed hardware systems to potential missions and assess the impact of improved capabilities on long-range goals. Total system studies are conducted, synthesizing short-haul transportation requirements with emphasis on STOL aircraft and higher-productivity subsonic transports.

The Advanced Concepts and Missions Division, in cooperation with other OART Divisions, is investigating the total air transportation system and supports the study efforts at the Centers with inputs pertinent to their subsystem efforts. Studies will be continued in the short-length and vertical takeoff aircraft field and be expanded to consider higher speeds and longer range systems. The Centers actively engaged in the technology of the aircraft will be involved, bringing the total system considerations into the bailiwick of the technologist early in the design of experimental aircraft and their subsystems. The Division is currently studying several areas of possible future activities in spaceflight. These include planetary missions, future information transfer systems, and more recently, advanced Earth resources systems.

For example, in the Earth resources area, the Division is looking beyond plans for this decade and is attempting to define reasonable matches between future observation capabilities and user-estimated requirements. The capabilities of interest, or estimated requirements in terms of resolution and a measure of area covered, are generally greater than those that currently can be provided. These requirements may be used to set goals for the OART technology programs.

In another study area, the performance of several types of propulsion systems are compared in terms of thrust, specific impulse and other performance parameters. Future mission requirements are set up as goals and the potential of the propulsion systems is compared as a component of the total vehicle system required to meet the mission goals. Factors such as trip time, propellant storability, radiation environment, and solar flux density become as important in the evaluation of propulsion technology as are the propulsion system performance parameters.

Other studies are conducted to determine the relative merits of new materials and advanced structures. Comparisons are carried beyond evaluation of properties to consider the impact upon manufacturing processes and costs and repair of structures employing the materials. As another example, a current study of Information Transfer Satellite requirements is providing goals such as data rate requirements to our Guidance, Control and Information Systems Division for use in their technology program. Similarly, studies of future planetarv missions provide technology requirements to our other space technology divisions.

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