Satellites for the citizen

Abstract

Applications Technology Satellite ATS-F scheduled for launch in 1974 will be the last of its type sponsored by NASA. In the years that these satellites have served the practical needs of prototype development programs for space technology, immense benefits have accrued to the general public in the fields of communications, navigation, meteorology, and a host of related areas. If the public is to continue to benefit from this extremely successful series of launchings, private enterprise will have to assume the cost of future ATS experiments when NASA withdraws from the field.