EDITORIAL
Apollo 11 A turning point for science and space
T
of course, but the attitude of post-Apollo planhere are two distinct relationships between ning should be one of exploitation. science and the space program. The success The confidence in technique demonstrated by of Apollo 11 marks a point in time when this Apollo 11 should engender innovation and distinction should be utilized in the determinaadventure in a variety of industrial programs tion of future space plans. and government agency missions. The economScience has been called upon to build the tools ics of space flight are fafor capability in space. Many disciplines have This guest editorial inaugurates a series of in- miliar to the American conbeen challenged and vited comments on the chemical world that will mass production appear on this page about once a month, offering cept—and even when we stressed with the result the thoughts on key issues of leading figures in proceed to the re-usable that great progress has been made. For example, academe, government, education, and industry shuttle system, which appears to be in the life support systems reoffing—the more pounds launched each year, the quirements have accelerated research in biolower the unit cost. The ingenuity which prochemistry, biophysics, and electronics. Propulduced our soaring space technology must be sion development has benefited the study of matched by the ingenuity of application—an combustion. These sciences have served the immediate and critical task for scientists and national goal of achieving a competent space engineers everywhere. technology—as expressed in landing and returning men from the moon. In the process, direct and indirect spinoffs are identified, but most importantly, American science is strengthened. EMILIO Q. DADDARIO Now, space capability can be turned to useful purposes for other science and engineering goals. The tools which science has built are valuable Representative Democrat from First District, Confor the whole spectrum of technical activitynecticut. Member of House Committee on Science and Astronautics; chairman of Special Subcommittee ranging from basic research in astronon Patents and Scientific Inventions; chairman of omy to the management of natural resources. Subcommittee on Science, Research and DevelopSpace technology will continue to be improved ment; member of Manned Space Flight Subcommittee
C&EN editorials are signed and represent only the views of the signer. Unless stated to the contrary they do not represent the official position of the A f r i c a n Chemical Society. Rather they are aimed at focusing attention on some controversial point, at sparking intelligent discussion, at raising legitimate quesnons. JULY 28, 1969 C & E N
5
