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The Unlikely Support for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program

As the world commemorated the 40th anniversary of humanity’s inaugural journey to the Moon aboard Apollo 11, a significant chapter in the story of the space shuttle program was revisited. During a poignant visit to the National Air and Space Museum in July 2009, the surviving crew members—Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins, and Neil Armstrong—along with Chris Kraft, a pivotal figure in NASA’s Mission Control history, engaged in discussions reflecting on their monumental achievements.

In a turn of events that surprised many, NASA Administrator John Frosch found himself grappling with financial challenges just as he returned to Washington, D.C. Anticipating a cold reception, Frosch met with President Jimmy Carter, who was not known for his strong support of the space program. However, Carter had recently returned from Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in Vienna, where he had been engaged in high-level discussions with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. These talks had included a focus on the United States’ capability to monitor compliance through the planned space shuttle missions over Moscow.

When Frosch conveyed NASA’s funding shortfall, his request was met with an unexpected question from Carter: “How much do you need?” This moment, according to Kraft, was pivotal, as it ultimately secured additional funding for the shuttle’s development. Without the financial support from Carter for fiscal years 1979 and 1980, the shuttle could have faced a very different fate. It would unlikely have evolved into the renowned spacecraft that completed 135 missions and transported 355 astronauts into orbit.

Reflecting on this historic moment, Kraft remarked, “That was the first supplemental NASA had ever asked for, and we got that money from Jimmy Carter.” This revelation left many in disbelief, raising questions about Carter’s genuine commitment to the space program, especially given his previously expressed skepticism about its necessity.

Carter’s Initial Indifference to Space Exploration

At the core of the skepticism surrounding Carter’s support was his previous stance on space exploration. Less than six months into his presidency, on June 9, 1977, Carter documented in his White House Diary that he perceived the space shuttle program primarily as a mechanism to keep NASA operational. He noted, “It’s obvious that the space shuttle is just a contrivance to keep NASA alive, and that no real need for the space shuttle was determined before the massive construction program was initiated.”

This candid admission illustrates the complex relationship between the administration and NASA. Despite his doubts, circumstances compelled Carter to reassess the significance of the shuttle program, particularly amidst the geopolitical context of the Cold War. It is a story intertwined with both skepticism and unexpected support, serving as a testament to the evolving priorities of the U.S. government in the realm of space exploration.

Source
arstechnica.com