One of the most useful characteristics of the space program is that its
needs "spread across the entire industrial spectrum--electronics,
metals, fuels, ceramics, machinery, plastics, instruments, textiles,
thermals, cryogenics, and a thousand other areas."[26] The benefits from
space exploration thus have a way of filtering into almost every area of
the American economy, either directly or indirectly. "Perhaps the
greatest economic treasure is the advanced technology required for more
and more difficult space missions. This new technology is advancing at a
meteoric rate. Its benefits are spreading throughout our whole
industrial and economic system."[27]
A graphic example of the manner in which the technological and economic
benefits from the space program can grow may be seen from the
development of the X-15. This rocket craft, designed to "fly" beyond the
Earth's atmosphere at altitudes up to 100 miles, is the product of 400
different firms and contractors.
Inasmuch as other nations, those which generally have lagged behind the
United States in technical know-how, are now rapidly bringing their
technology up to date--this windfall from our space program is
especially opportune. It is providing the incentive to American industry
to remain in the world's technological van. And it is emphasizing that
economic leadership is a dynamic thing, that U.S. mass-production
techniques which have enabled the Nation to compete so well in foreign
markets are no longer, of themselves, sufficient guarantee of superior
economic position.
While America's space exploration program, on a formal basis, came into
being as recently as October 1958, its impact on the national economy
has probably been sharper than that of any single new program ever
conceived. For there are now at least 5,000 companies or research
organizations engaged in the missile-space industry. And more than 3,200
different space-related products have been required and are being
produced to date.[28]
One can only speculate on the economic effect which the space program is
having on investments or on investors who have no other connection with
it. It seems significant, however, that the stock market pages in recent
months have come to devote a good deal of attention to "space issues."
Financially speaking, space has thus become a major category. That it
has done so in such a short period would seem to have marked
implications for the future.
In brief, space exploration is becoming almost an industry in itself,
and there are those who believe it destined to become the largest
industrial spur in the Nation before too many years have gone by.
One expert, an experienced hand not only in astronautics but in the
business world as well, describes the outlook in this fashion: "A great
industrial change is taking place in the United States. The aircraft
industry, which long considered missiles as a small department, now
finds itself becoming a part of the large missile and space flight
industry. It is an elemental evolution. An industrial change is upon us
comparable to the advent of mercantilism."[29] He has predicted that
within a decade or so the astronautics industry will be larger than the
automotive industry of the entire world.
While such predictions may be overly optimistic, they can scarcely be
dismissed as irresponsible in the light of what has already happened.
[Illustration: FIGURE 6.--Booster engines of tomorrow, such as
this mockup of the 1,500,000 pound thrust single engine, will place
broad requirements on men and materials.]