Military and aerospace: Work progresses on space shuttles, air cushion landing systems, earth resources programs, and controls

With Federal R&D budgets now at their highest in over a decade, the United States seems firmly committed to a continuance of its technological superiority despite the ravages of inflation and the public clamor to cut spending in every sector of the economy. Budget increases for military, aerospace, and energy research were particularly high last year, with development of new weapon systems, the space shuttle, and new sources of power having the highest priorities.