PRESIDENT IN ORBIT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 15

PRESIDENT IN ORBIT

'Possibility By 1976’ (N Z.P-A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept. 21. Space officials yesterday said that it would be technically feasible to put the President of the United States into orbit in 1976, as a spectacular celebration of the; nation’s 200th year of independence. Secret servicemen, responsible for protecting the President, were not very enthusiastic about the idea, which came from the rocket scientist, Dr Wernher von Braun, in Congressional testimony just released.

A service spokesman said: “We wouldn’t be addressing ourselves to something that long range. But, if we consider something a hazard, we draw it to the attention of the President”

Dr von Braun, addressing the Senate Space Committee last month, said: “Somebody may want to do something spectacular in this time (the bicentennial). One possibiity would be for the President of the United States to visit an orbital space station in 1976, and fly as a passenger on the reusable vehicle.”

A spokesman for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration confirmed that by 1976 “there would certainly be more than just the very ablest and best pilots flying,” but said that as far as he knew N.A.S.A. had not been asked to consider a presidential space mission.

America’s first orbiting space laboratory is due to be launched as early as 1972, and men would stay aboard for 28 or 56 day periods.