agr@vaxine.UUCP (Arnold Reinhold) (08/16/83)
From Aviation Week and Space Technology, Aug. 15, 1983: "Influential members of the White House Senior Interagency Group (SIG) for space last week indicated the US should not undertake development of a space station project. The viewpoints did not represent a SIG consensus but do illustrate the strong opposition that is developing to counter NASA's station plan. SIG members lining up against the station included the Office of Management and Budget, State Dept., the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Dept. The movement of Defense from a neutral position to one opposing a $7.5-9 billion development reflected oncern that the station cost would drain federal development money in general and, more specifically, funding to maintain shuttle program support. SIG members believed NASA has not made strong enough tradeoff studies about manned versus unmanned space systems. Favoring the station were NASA, Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the Commerce Dept. It will now be up to President Reagan to determine which side of the argument to support. The SIG did not evaluate the possible international and domestic political advantages of a station development, and this is viewed by all participants as an important factor President Reagan will consider in the debate." If you want a space station this century write Reagan now! Arnold Reinhold