U.K. SPACE POLICY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28979, 21 August 1959, Page 13

U.K. SPACE POLICY

“Scientists In Revolt”

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, August 20.

The revolt among British scientists against the Government's lack of support for space plans will come to a head next week when delegates to the Commonwealth space flight conference in London will demand a joint Commonwealth programme, says the “News Chronicle’s” air reporter. Otherwise, he adds, British aircraft firms fear many of Britain’s top brains will be lost to the United States because they are frustrated with the lack of opportunity.

Britain’s present .space effort, he continues, amounts to no more than a £200,000 plan to rent space for British instruments in American rockets—when they can be spared.

“At the Commonwealth space flight meetings, some astonishing details may be revealed on prelimina.y work secretly carried out by British air firms and ‘boffins,’ largely in their spare time and with private funds,” says the correspondent. "They range from plans for ‘getback’ satellites and moon landings to a fully-tested model of a two-man space ship for short flights outside the atmosphere and a revolutionary nev» engine for space launchings. “Scientists claim many of them are much better and cheaper than American and Russian devices. “Pressure will grow on the Government to try out some of these brilliant homegrown ideas. “The conference will prove that Britain has everything needed, brains, ideas, rockets, the world's best launching station at Woomera and the world's best spacetracker in the Jodrell Bank radio telescope—everything except Government O.K. and cash,” the correspondent says.