2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE CABLE ADDRESS VARECO
WASHINGTON 25, D. C. WASHINGT Cc.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

SPACE SCIENCE BOARD

October 6, 1959

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

Dear Dr. Lederberg:

I have a copy of your letter of September 29 to Dr. Berkner
on the question of the man-in-space program. While sharing your
concern deeply, I also feel that the topic is far from being a
simple one, involving some very powerful forces, one or two of
which must perhaps be contended with as legitimate. For such
reasons, it might be useful to have a small discussion (involving,
say, you, Berkner, Hartline, Urey, and Rossi) before a general
Board discussion. It might also be useful to have a discussion
after this preliminary meeting of the proposed group with Dr. Dryden
of NASA prior to raising the question within the Board.

As to your postscript: we have raised the question of a
session on exobiology at the COSPAR January symposium. I should
hear very soon from Van de Hulst and will get in touch with you
promptly. I believe that such a session has a very good chance of

being included and hope that you can tentatively plan to participate
in it.

With kind regards,

Sincerely 305,

  

i , ie. :
kes old
Executz e Director

cc: Dr. Berkner
Dr. Hartline