MAR 17 1961 toDerbyrshre

REMARKS FROM J. LEDERBERG REGARDING THE LONG RANGE OBJECTIVES OF THE SPACE
PROGRAM AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGER VEHICLES

We certainly have to focus on our long-range concerns end try to
establish the quality and scope of our national commitment. Larger vehicles
will be necessary for the fol lowing missions of major Importance: (1) the
retrieval of surface samples from the,planets for the kind of detal led
Investigation that Is only possible in the terrestrial laboratory. (2)
the propulsion of large Instruments for the study of the solar system and
of the larger universe a) large optical telescopes with capabilities now
perturbed by the earth's atmosphere b) radio telescopes to include the
function of detection of galactic communication c) automatic planetary
laboratories of which Surveyor is the prototype for the reconna!sance of
planetary terrain and for the Investigation of sub-surface strata. (3)
Manned space filght in vehicles that afford sufficient range maneuverabl lity
and navigational and envi ronmental Information to enable man to play a
critical part In the exploration of the solar system.

At the present time, the use of manned vehicles In the exploration of
space |s problematical for two main reasons: (1) We,do not know how well
he can function In the constraints of space flight.(z)There Is very little
doubt from general phystological considerations and from the biological
experiments that have already fiown that man is capable,—in-principtey of
betng carried on short term voyages. To this extent, the Mercury project
is likely to give us much more reassurance as to the correctness of our
predictions than vital new knowledge. However, the Mercury project is only
the first step In a program that must probe deeper Into unpredictable effects,
especially of the long term viability of the human passenger in spacecraft
environments. The main criticism that might be offered of the Mercury program
is that It has been pubilcized as a vitally Important end tn itself, whereas
It can in fact, make only an extremely limited contribution to the solution
of the problema of manned space flight. However, If manned space flight Is
ever to be accomplished, there must be a start at some point and Mercury
can quite profitably be represented in this light. Perhaps the Implication
should be made quite explicit, therefore, that manned space flight will be
an extremely expensive proposition and that the costs of Mercury are only
the very first stage expense.

It should be stressed that man !s exploring space by the act of extend-
Ing his sensors Into the reaches of the solar system through instrumented
space craft. Han plays a vitel role in the design and programming of such
vehicles and In the reception and Interpretation of the data generated by ;
them. in many respects, the man on the ground interpreting the telemetered 2.4 My ins: hu
data and having the resources of the terrestrial laboratory,will have a far , f° "4
more Intimate knowledge of the space that a vehicle Is exploring than wil!
the astronaut who accompanies the vehicle. in any case regardless of the
utilization of the astronaut, it will be essential to support a strong
development of compact Instrumentation which Is as fully automated as
possible. The usefulness of the astronaut will depend to a large measure
on the extent to which he is assisted by Instrumentation that can furnish
environmental and coordinate data to him in a form that he Is capable of

Awe do not know of any vital operations that cannot be performed, at least
in principle, by devices in radio communication with the earth.
Lederberg comments, cont. 2

Interpreting and using. HIs main advantage may arise from the acceleration
of response that is possible when such data are presented to him immediately
at the site of Investigation rather than having to traverse the long and in
some respects, attenuated comaunication link from the exploration site to

the earth and back. Furthermore, the astronaut's usefulness will be greatly
amplified by the extent to which he can maintain a volume of useful communl-
cation with the earth for consultation and analysis of the data thet he
acquires. it should, therefore, be apparent that regardless of the attention
given to the support of the human passenger, the same Intensive effort must
be made In the development of instrumentation, automation, and conmraunication
techniques. It should also be apparent that the engineering development of
these techniques will have enormous byproduct advantages for other sclent!i fic
and economic purposes.

The Importance of man In the exploration of space can perhaps be
assessed by considering how much we are able to do with and without his
presence on the vehicle. We are optimistic that the major questions that
we would want to ask of the solar system can be answered by instrumented
techniques. The possible role of man In further Investigation may not be
so evident until more subtle questions have arisen on the basis of unexpected
information obtained during our earlier efforts at the exploration of space.
Then, and perhaps only then, are we likely to have cause for regret or come
placency If new difficulties supervene that discourage the extension of
efforts at manned space fiight.

Particularly to be condemned is the attitude that manned space flight Is
an end in Itself. This may be able to serve the emotional Interests of a
small number of adventurers but we should be looking for deeper motivations
to justify the Immense commitments of national resources that are involved
In the space program. With adequate attention to the understanding of the
way that man Is Indeed exploring space by the extension of his sensory Instru-
ments, we may be better able to put this problem in sober perspective. in
sum, | would recommend that the strongest support continue to be given to
the Investigation of the chronic physiological effects of environmental factors
likely to be found In space;and with adequate precedent in terrestrial
research these experiments should be extended to the space environment. We
should keep an open mind with regard to the ultimate utility of the astronaut
for the purpose of exploration and should continue In any event to stress
the development of the tools that will be needed on the one hand, for the
continued retrieval of sclentific information by automatic Instruments, or
on the other, for the support of the more immediate participation of the
explorer In the examination of his environment In space.