58. Editorial Note
On February 12, 1967, the President’s Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) released a report entitled, “The Space Program in the Post-Apollo Period.” Prepared by the Space Science and Space Technology panels of the PSAC, the report rejected the adoption of a “single dominating goal” like the moon race, in favor of a balanced program based upon the expectation of eventual manned planetary exploration. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Charles E. Johnson Files, Post-Apollo (Outer Space Goals), Box 16)
In a February 27 memorandum to the Secretary, Pollack summarized the conclusions and implications of the report. He wrote: “The Report is directed solely to the space program. It does not attempt to weight the relative importance of science in space as compared with other major scientific tasks.” The PSAC authors admitted their belief that the expenditures for a continuing national effort in space science and exploration were so great that “the justification must be found in indirect benefits to the Society which we cannot evaluate in scientific terms.” Accordingly, the report dealt little with military, political, and economic factors. While addressing the questions of U.S. leadership and international cooperation, the report was heavily weighted toward the scientific objectives and benefits of the space program.
Pollack pointed out that on international cooperation, an issue of major importance to the State Department, “The Report is not particularly helpful.” There were other issues on which the PSAC report diverged from positions taken previously by the Secretary. (See Document 55 and footnote 1, Document 49.) While conceding that much of the significant space science to be done during the 1970s would be accomplished in earth orbit, “PSAC considers [planetary exploration] to be the primary objective of the post-Apollo program.” The PSAC proposed three funding options, ranging from about $3.5 billion to about $7 billion. (Department of State, S/PC Files: Lot 72 D 124, Scientific and Technological Development)