§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approaches he has had from the international oil companies in relation to the operation of British satellites.
§ Mr. CorfieldI have had no such approaches.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he is doing into high resolution photography from satellites.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy Department is not directly engaged in any research into high resolution photography from satellites, though it is supporting the experimental use of Skylark sounding rockets for high altitude photography as a method of surveying earth resources. In addition, some British research groups sponsored by my Department are to carry out experimental programmes in analysis of data received from N.A.S.A.'s earth resources technology satellite (E.R.T.S.) and Skylab.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study he is 184W making of the creation of new metals and materials in space, in vacuums unobtainable on earth.
§ Mr. CorfieldNo such studies are being carried out by my Department.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what study he has made of the study, details of which are in his possession, under the direction of Professor Oscar Morgernstern, of the economics of a Post-Apollo Shuttle; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CorfieldThe examination of Professor Morgernstern's study was made by economists in my Department. The study was, however, based on cost estimates of earlier versions of the space shuttle and to that extent is now out of date.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what feasibility study he is making of Shuttle and Tug in geosynchronous orbits.
§ Mr. CorfieldMy Department has contributed to the cost of preliminary feasibility studies of the tug which have been carried out by the European Space Conference. British industry has also collaborated, with Government financial assistance, with United States firms in work on feasibility studies of shuttle systems. The studies have not been specifically directed towards geosynchronous orbital requirements.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what feasibility study he is making of the problems involved in the British ownership and operation of a space sortie module.
§ Mr. CorfieldNo such study is being made.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimates he has made of Space Shuttle in terms of cost reduction and improvement in performance of current methods of exploiting space.
§ Mr. CorfieldEstimates made by United States authorities have been examined by my Department. In addition a contract has been placed with United Kingdom industry covering cost benefit studies of the space shuttle.
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§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he is having with the European Space Research Organisation and the European Launcher Development Organisation on the Post-Apollo programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CorfieldWe are discussing with our partners in the European Space Conference the possibility of participation in the Post-Apollo programme. The European Space Research Organisation and the European Launcher Development Organisation have been carrying out studies on behalf of the conference with a view to facilitating a decision later this year.