National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1996

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: 
     Title I:  Authorization of Appropriations 
          Subtitle A:  Authorizations 
          Subtitle B:  Limitations and Special Authority 
     Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1996 - 
Title I:  Authorization of Appropriations
 - 
Subtitle A:  Authorizations
 - Authorizes appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for:  (1) human space flight; (2) science, aeronautics, and technology, including facilities construction; (3) mission support; and (4) the Inspector General. 
Places a ceiling on authorization of appropriations for construction. 
Subtitle B:  Limitations and Special Authority
 - Sets forth fund uses and limitations. 
Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions
 - Authorizes the purchase of airborne infrared astronomy data services. 
States that if NASA appropriations are less than appropriations authorized under this Act, there shall be established a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Facilities Commission to recommend closure or reconfiguration of NASA facilities.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) a balanced civil space program is a critical element of 
        the Nation's investment in research and development that needs 
        to be maintained even as the United States reduces its deficit;
            (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will 
        require predictable and adequate funding over the next 5 years 
        in order to carry out a balanced program of initiatives in 
        human space flight and science, aeronautics, and technology;
            (3) international cooperation can play a major role in 
        leveraging American investments in space exploration and 
        utilization and should be encouraged; and
            (4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
        should continue its efforts to reduce institutional costs, 
        through management restructuring, facility consolidation when 
        appropriate, procurement reform, personnel base downsizing, and 
        convergence with other defense and private sector systems.

SEC. 3. DEFINITION.

    For purposes of this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the 
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

                TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

                       Subtitle A--Authorizations

SEC. 101. HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT.

    (a) Authorizations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 1996 for 
Human Space Flight the following amounts:
            (1) For the Space Station, $1,833,600,000.
            (2) For Russian Cooperation, $129,200,000.
            (3) For the Space Shuttle, $3,171,800,000.
            (4) For Payload and Utilization Operations, $315,000,000.
    (b) Construction of Facilities.--(1) Of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated under subsection (a)(1), $14,800,000 are authorized for 
construction of a Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, Johnson Space Center. 
The Administrator is authorized to exercise an option to purchase, for 
not more than $35,000,000, the Clear Lake Development Facility, 
containing the Sonny Carter Training Facility and the approximately 
13.7 acre parcel of land on which it is located, using funds authorized 
by this Act.
    (2) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a)(3), $7,500,000 are authorized for replacement of the Chemical 
Analysis Facility, Kennedy Space Center.
    (3) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a)(3), $4,900,000 are authorized for replacement of the Space Shuttle 
Main Engine Processing Facility, Kennedy Space Center.
    (4) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a)(3), $5,000,000 are authorized for modernization of the Firex 
System, Pads A and B, Kennedy Space Center.

SEC. 102. SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS, AND TECHNOLOGY.

    (a) Authorizations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 1996 for 
Science, Aeronautics, and Technology the following amounts:
            (1) For Space Science, $1,972,400,000, of which--
                    (A) $1,154,600,000 are authorized for Physics and 
                Astronomy, including $7,000,000 for the Space Infrared 
                Telescope Facility, $28,700,000 for the Stratospheric 
                Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, and $51,500,000 for 
                the Gravity Probe B Relativity Mission; and
                    (B) $817,800,000 are authorized for Planetary 
                Exploration, including $20,000,000 for the New 
                Millenium program.
            (2) For Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications, 
        $504,000,000.
            (3) For Mission to Planet Earth, $1,287,460,000.
            (4) For Space Access and Technology, $557,300,000, of 
        which--
                    (A) $59,000,000 are authorized for the Reusable 
                Launch Vehicle technology development program, and, to 
                the extent provided in appropriations Acts, the 
                Administrator may utilize up to $100,000,000 from funds 
                otherwise provided to the Department of Defense for the 
                Reusable Launch Vehicle;
                    (B) $140,500,000 are authorized for Spacecraft and 
                Remote Sensing; and
                    (C) $22,600,000 are authorized for the Small 
                Spacecraft Technology Initiative.
            (5) For Aeronautical Research and Technology, $877,300,000, 
        of which--
                    (A) $354,700,000 are authorized for Research and 
                Technology Base activities;
                    (B) $240,500,000 are authorized for High Speed 
                Research;
                    (C) $163,400,000 are authorized for Advanced 
                Subsonic Technology; and
                    (D) $65,200,000 are authorized for High Performance 
                Computing and Communications.
            (6) For Mission Communication Services, $461,300,000.
            (7) For Academic Programs, $102,200,000.
    (b) Construction of Facilities.--(1) Of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated under subsection (a)(2), $3,000,000 are authorized for the 
construction of an addition to the Microgravity Development Laboratory, 
Marshall Space Flight Center.
    (2) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a)(3), $17,000,000 are authorized for construction of Earth Systems 
Science Building, Goddard Space Flight Center.
    (3) Of the funds authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a)(5), $5,400,000 are authorized for modernization of the Unitary Plan 
Wind Tunnel Complex, Ames Research Center.

SEC. 103. MISSION SUPPORT.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration for fiscal year 1996 for Mission Support the 
following amounts:
            (1) For Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance, 
        $37,600,000.
            (2) For Space Communications Services, $299,400,000, of 
        which $175,800,000 are authorized for the Tracking and Data 
        Relay Satellite Replenishment program.
            (3) For Research and Program Management, including 
        personnel and related costs, travel, and research operations 
        support, $2,094,800.
            (4) For Construction of Facilities, including land 
        acquisition, $166,400,000, of which--
                    (A) $6,300,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                Flight Systems Research Laboratory, Ames Research 
                Center;
                    (B) $3,000,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                Chilled Water Distribution System, Goddard Space Flight 
                Center;
                    (C) $4,800,000 are authorized for replacement of 
                Chillers, various buildings, Jet Propulsion Laboratory;
                    (D) $1,100,000 are authorized for rehabilitation of 
                Electrical Distribution System, White Sands Test 
                Facility, Johnson Space Center;
                    (E) $4,200,000 are authorized for replacement of 
                Main Substation Switchgear and Circuit Breakers, 
                Johnson Space Center;
                    (F) $1,800,000 are authorized for replacement of 
                15KV Load Break Switches, Kennedy Space Center;
                    (G) $9,000,000 are authorized for rehabilitation of 
                Central Air Equipment Building, Lewis Research Center;
                    (H) $4,700,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                High Pressure Air Compressor System, Marshall Space 
                Flight Center;
                    (I) $6,800,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                Information and Electronic Systems Laboratory, Marshall 
                Space Flight Center;
                    (J) $1,400,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                Canal Lock, Stennis Space Center;
                    (K) $2,500,000 are authorized for restoration of 
                Primary Electrical Distribution System, Wallops Flight 
                Facility;
                    (L) $35,000,000 are authorized for repair of 
                facilities at various locations, not in excess of 
                $1,500,000 per project;
                    (M) $35,000,000 are authorized for rehabilitation 
                and modification of facilities at various locations, 
                not in excess of $1,500,000 per project;
                    (N) $3,800,000 are authorized for minor 
                construction of new facilities and additions to 
                existing facilities at various locations, not in excess 
                of $1,500,000 per project;
                    (O) $10,000,000 are authorized for facility 
                planning and design; and
                    (P) $37,000,000 are authorized for environmental 
                compliance and restoration.

SEC. 104. INSPECTOR GENERAL.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration for fiscal year 1996 for Inspector General, 
$17,300,000.

SEC. 105. TOTAL CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES AUTHORIZATION.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the total amount 
authorized to be appropriated under this Act for Construction of 
Facilities shall not exceed $214,000,000.

             Subtitle B--Limitations and Special Authority

SEC. 111. USE OF FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) Authorized Uses.--Funds appropriated under sections 101(a), 
102(a), and 103 (1) and (2), and funds appropriated for research 
operations support under section 103(3), may be used for the 
construction of new facilities and additions to, repair of, 
rehabilitation of, or modification of existing facilities at any 
location in support of the purposes for which such funds are 
authorized.
    (b) Limitation.--None of the funds used pursuant to subsection (a) 
may be expended for a project, the estimated cost of which to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including collateral 
equipment, exceeds $500,000, until 30 days have passed after the 
Administrator has notified the Committee on Science of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate of the nature, location, and estimated 
cost to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of such 
project.
    (c) Title to Facilities.--If funds are used pursuant to subsection 
(a) for grants to institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit 
organizations whose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific 
research, for purchase or construction of additional research 
facilities, title to
 such facilities shall be vested in the United States unless the 
Administrator determines that the national program of aeronautical and 
space activities will best be served by vesting title in the grantee 
institution or organization. Each such grant shall be made under such 
conditions as the Administrator shall determine to be required to 
ensure that the United States will receive therefrom the benefits 
adequate to justify the making of that grant.

SEC. 112. AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATED AMOUNTS.

    To the extent provided in appropriations Acts, appropriations 
authorized under subtitle A may remain available without fiscal year 
limitation.

SEC. 113. REPROGRAMMING FOR CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES.

    Appropriations authorized under section 101(b), 102(b), or 103(4)--
            (1) may be varied upward by 10 percent at the discretion of 
        the Administrator; or
            (2) may be varied upward by 25 percent, to meet unusual 
        cost variations, after the expiration of 30 days following a 
        report on the circumstances of such action by the Administrator 
        to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and 
        the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate.
The aggregate amount authorized to be appropriated under sections 
101(b), 102(b), and 103(4) shall not be increased as a result of 
actions authorized under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section.

SEC. 114. CONSIDERATION BY COMMITTEES.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act--
            (1) no amount appropriated to the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration may be used for any program for which the 
        President's annual budget request included a request for 
        funding, but for which the Congress denied or did not provide 
        funding;
            (2) no amount appropriated to the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration may be used for any program in excess of 
        the amount actually authorized for the particular program by 
        subtitle A; and
            (3) no amount appropriated to the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration may be used for any program which has not 
        been presented to the Congress in the President's annual budget 
        request or the supporting and ancillary documents thereto,
unless a period of 30 days has passed after the receipt by the 
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of notice given 
by the Administrator containing a full and complete statement of the 
action proposed to be taken and the facts and circumstances relied upon 
in support of such proposed action. The National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration shall keep the Committee on Science of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate fully and currently informed with respect 
to all activities and responsibilities within the jurisdiction of those 
committees. Except as otherwise provided by law, any Federal 
department, agency, or independent establishment shall furnish any 
information requested by either committee relating to any such activity 
or responsibility.

SEC. 115. USE OF FUNDS FOR SCIENTIFIC CONSULTATIONS OR EXTRAORDINARY 
              EXPENSES.

    Funds appropriated under section 102 may be used, but not to exceed 
$35,000, for scientific consultations or extraordinary expenses upon 
the authorization of the Administrator.

                   TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 201. PURCHASE OF AIRBORNE INFRARED ASTRONOMY DATA SERVICES.

    (a) Contract for Services.--The Administrator is authorized to 
enter into multiyear contracts for the purchase of services to provide 
infrared astronomical data by airborne platforms. Such contracts may 
provide for the acquisition of aircraft, instruments, support 
equipment, and any capital items necessary to meet Government needs, 
and further, the costs of such items may be amortized over the life of 
the contract.
    (b) Termination Liability.--Any contract entered into pursuant to 
this section may provide for the payment of contingent liability that 
may accrue in the event that the Federal Government for its convenience 
terminates such contracts. Payments made for such liability shall be 
derived from appropriations for Science, Aeronautics, and Technology 
which remain unobligated from any fiscal year.
    (c) Calculation of Transactions.--For the purposes of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, and 
scorekeeping guidelines, the Office of Management and Budget and the 
Congressional Budget Office shall score any contract entered into under 
this section in the same manner as if the contract had been entered 
into on September 30, 1990.

SEC. 202. FACILITIES CLOSING COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--In the event that the total amount of funds 
appropriated to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for 
fiscal year 1996 is less than the amount authorized to be appropriated 
to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in this Act, there 
shall be established an independent commission to be known as the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Facilities Commission 
(hereafter referred to in this section as the ``Commission''). The 
Commission shall be constituted and conduct its activities in 
accordance with a plan provided to Congress by the President within 90 
days after the date of the enactment of the Act making such 
appropriations.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Commission shall be to make 
recommendations for the closure or reconfiguration of National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration facilities, including research and 
operations Centers, resulting in cost savings for the overall budget 
for such facilities.