Space stations favored

Abstract

Recently, Presidential Science Advisor George A. Key worth II created a new wave of enthusiasm about the future of the U.S. space program by stating in Science magazine that the National Aeronautics and Space Administratoin (NASA) should consider a major new initiative (July 8, 1983). Key worth has previously used Science magazine to provide his views on policy to the science community; in the past the messages have not been so supportive of the space program, but apparently NASA has made the case for an ambitious plan of space technology and development. The new program may involve space stations to support a colony on the moon (see Eos, April 19, 1983, p. 145) and perhaps Mars.In the July 8 Science, Keyworth is quoted as saying, “I think the country would take a major thrust in space very seriously. We've shown that the shuttle works, and is realistic. We know we have the technolgy to build a space station—most advocates of a space station readily acknowledge that it is only an intermediate step in a more ambitious longrange goal of exploring the solar system.”