NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.

8 July 1959

Dear Dr. Lederberg,

It is most gratifying to me to receive the recom-
mendation of Lloyd Berkner, as Chairman of our Space
Science Board, that you be invited to serve as a member of
that Board. I am delighted to act herewith on his recom-
mendation, hoping that you will find it possible to accept.

The Space Science Board was established to consider
both the physical and biological aspects of space science,
because of our belief that we have an opportunity and a
responsibility to bring together scientists from many
fields to give thought to the problems and the implications
of man's advance into space, and to find ways to further a
wise and vigorous national program in this field. In my
original letter to Dr. Berkner upon his appointment a year
ago I stated that we would look to the Board to be the focus
of the interests and responsibilities of the Academy~-Research
Council in space science; to establish necessary relation-
ships with non-governmental and governmental scientific ac-
tivities; to represent us in our international relations in
this field on behalf of American science and scientists; to
seek ways to stimulate needed research; to promote the co-
ordination of scientific effort; and to provide such advice
and recommendations to appropriate individuals and agencies
with regard to space science as the Board might deem desir-
able.

We shall be very glad if you will accept appointment
to the Board where you can be of great assistance in advis-
ing on the scientific content of the nation's program in
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space science and on our own responsibilities in relation

to that program.

With cordial good wishes, I am

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Department of Genetics
School of Medicine
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Yours sincerely,

Oete C/ Gare

Detlev W. Bronk
President