Before I begin, a massive thank you goes out to
@Its_Marc for his help with this chapter, and once again thank you to
@defconh3ck for their contributions as well.
Chapter I :
I Fought The Law
At the peak of the cold war, the United States Air Force was becoming increasingly concerned about the Soviet Union's advances in space technology, specifically their capability to haul things into orbit, and over to the Moon, the N-1 was a worthy opponent to the Saturn V. The Air Force believed that the Apollo program had the potential to be a powerful tool in defending the United States against Soviet aggression on the lunar surface. The Air Force argued that by taking control of the Apollo program, they could use the existing infrastructure to develop a Lunar Defense Program that would include advanced surveillance systems, weaponry, and defensive measures to protect American interests on the moon.
The Air Force had also suspected that the NASA-led Apollo program had become too slow and bureaucratic, leading to unnecessary delays and safety issues. They argued that the military's experience with rapid development and deployment of new technology would allow them to quickly and efficiently transform the Apollo program into a more effective tool for defending the United States on the lunar surface.
The Air Force's argument that NASA's incompetency led to the decision to transfer the Apollo program to the military's control was based on a series of perceived failures and mishaps in the program's history.
Firstly, the Apollo 1 tragedy, where three astronauts were killed during a launch rehearsal, was blamed on NASA's lack of attention to safety and quality control. The Air Force believed that NASA had rushed the program, leading to mistakes that ultimately resulted in the loss of life.
Similarly, the incident with Apollo 13, where an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks nearly caused the loss of the mission and crew, was seen as the ultimate proof of NASA's incompetence. The Air Force argued that NASA had failed to properly anticipate and mitigate potential risks, leading to a dangerous situation that could have been avoided with better planning and preparation. Despite initial resistance from NASA and other government agencies, the Air Force's arguments ultimately won the support of the President and Congress. The Apollo program was transferred to the Air Force's control, and they quickly began work on transforming it into the Lunar Defense Program.
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"So they're giving us away? Just because of 13?" Gordo said with food stuffed in his mouth, across the table from him sat Mitchel Wright. Gordo and Mitch were veteran Astronauts of the Gemini and Apollo programs, good friends ever since Gemini 7, these two were almost never seen apart at JSC.
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Mitch came from the navy, is a navy pilot, and has a wide and bright flight record. Gordo came from the Airforce, was an excellent pilot, and was absolutely remarkable with the T-38.
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"It's not that they're giving us away, it's more like the program is going away, we are staying with the NASA guys, just no more Moon," Mitch answered, putting his magazine down
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"So all these Airforce guys will just get to fly to the Moon? Do we have any idea what happens to us? What the hell do we even do? Apart from Skylab, we don't have too much here." Gordo quickly followed up
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"Yeah but the Airforce is forming a new Marine division, something like Lunar Marines I guess? Most of the information isn't public yet, we as astronauts don't know much" Mitch said, almost dismissing Gordo's questions as being too simple to answer.”
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It was a brief exchange of words, Gordo didn’t bother questioning it too much as of yet. He just sat at his table, indulging in his lunch. As far as he was concerned, it was not his problem to worry about the Moon anymore…
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As time went by, the entirety of the NASA staff had become accustomed to this change, despite it being rather sudden and unexpected, it wasn't the very least surprising. And so the law was passed, the program will be transfered over to the United States Airforce. It will not be enough to say that people were dissapointed, many were truly heartbroken, but it is not over yet. Despite its shift to a military purpose, the program will still live in its own way.
Preamble:
An Act to transfer the Apollo program from NASA to the United States Air Force for the purposes of converting it into a lunar defense program against the Soviet Union.
Section 1: Transfer of Apollo Program to United States Air Force
The Apollo program currently managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shall be transferred to the United States Air Force, which will be responsible for its further development, management, and execution. This includes all personnel, assets, and resources associated with the Apollo program. However, for the next 10 years, NASA will work alongside the Air Force to provide them with the use of NASA-developed infrastructure and the contractors, such as Boeing Company, North American Aviation, Douglas Aircraft Company, and IBM. After the passing of the 10 years allocated to the cooperation of NASA and the United States Airforce, new infrastructure will be built to separate NASA and the USAF.
Section 2: Lunar Defense Program
The Apollo program shall be rebranded as the Lunar Defense Program, which will aim to establish a military presence on the Moon to deter any hostile actions from the Soviet Union. The Lunar Defense Program shall be managed by the United States Air Force and shall include the development and deployment of weapons systems, surveillance equipment, communication systems, and other technology necessary for defense purposes.
Section 3: Funding and Resources
The United States Air Force shall receive the necessary funding and resources to carry out the Lunar Defense Program. This includes funds previously allocated to the Apollo program, as well as additional funds as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall be responsible for ensuring that the Lunar Defense Program receives adequate resources to meet its objectives.
Section 4: Collaboration with NASA
The United States Air Force shall work closely with NASA to ensure a smooth transfer of the Apollo program, and to continue to benefit from NASA's expertise in space exploration. NASA shall provide the United States Air Force with all necessary information, data, and resources to enable the successful execution of the Lunar Defense Program. The United States Air Force shall also be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all NASA personnel involved in the Lunar Defense Program. A selection of NASA Apollo astronauts will be transferred over to the United States Airforce Lunar Marine corp, they will undergo additional training as well as training with weapons and Marine training, after which this selection of astronauts will be capable of providing training to new Marine recruits
Section 5: Reporting Requirements
The United States Air Force shall provide regular reports to Congress on the progress of the Lunar Defense Program, including updates on the establishment of a military presence on the Moon. Reports shall be provided on a quarterly basis and shall include details on the allocation of resources, development of technology, and progress toward the achievement of the program's objectives.
Section 6: Sunset Provision
This Act shall remain in effect until such time that the United States Air Force determines that the Lunar Defense Program is no longer necessary. At that point, the program shall be terminated, and any remaining funds shall be returned to the Treasury. The United States Air Force shall provide a report to Congress on the reasons for terminating the program, and any lessons learned from its implementation.
Section 7: Effective Date
This Act shall take effect upon its passage.
Sponsored by:
Barrie Randall
Justification:
The Soviet Union has demonstrated a clear interest in space exploration as well as the militarization of space. It is crucial that the United States take steps to establish a military presence on the Moon to deter any potential threats from the fascistic and oppressive regime, such will prove to be the most important steps towards peace. The Apollo program provides a unique opportunity to do so, and transferring it to the United States Air Force for the purposes of creating a lunar defense program is the most effective way to achieve this objective. By leveraging the existing resources and expertise of the Apollo program, the United States can establish a strong military presence on the Moon in a timely and cost-effective manner. The United States Army has proven its capability to protect its people against any dangers from beyond its home borders. The United States Army will protect its citizens be it in space, on Earth, or even on the Moon, Against the oppressive and controlling Soviet Regime
