An Act to authorize appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and program management, and for other purposes.
PL 93-74 (H.R.7528), enacted 07/23/1973

87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-74-JULY 23, 1973 
171 
other nations, the results of marine research useful in the exploration, 
development, conservation, and management of marine resources. 
"(b) In carrying out the study required by subsection (a), the 
contract 
Secretary is authorized, without regard for paragraphs (1) and (3) ^"*^°"*y-
of section 204(d), to enter into contracts with, and make grants to, 
33 use 1123.. 
institutions, agencies, and organizations described in section 204(c). 
" (c) The Secretary shall submit to the President and to the Congress ^^Jf 
^°^J l^on-^^'' 
the results and findings of such study, including specific recommenda- gr^ssT 
tions, not later than September 30,1974. 
" (d) F6r the purpose of carrying out this section there is authorized 
Appropriation. 
to be appropriated not to exceed the sum of $200,000.". 
-Approved July 10, 1973. 
Public Law 93-74 
AN A C T 
July 23, 1973 
To authorize appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administra- 
[H. R. 7528] 
tion for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and 
program management, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That there is hereby ^^lll°J'2^^^^''!' 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n : 
Authorization Act, 
(a) For "Research and development," for the following programs: ^^Research and 
(1) Space flight operations, $555,500,000; 
development. 
(2) Space Shuttle, $475,000,000; 
(3) Advanced missions, $1,500,000; 
(4) Physics and astronomy, $63,600,000; 
(5) Lunar and planetary exploration, $311,000,000; 
(6) Launch vehicle procurement, $177,400,000; 
(7) Space applications, $161,000,000; 
(8) Aeronautical research and technology, $180,000,000; of this 
amount $14,000,000 is reserved for the JT-3D Refan Retrofit 
Research Program; 
(9) Space and nuclear research and technology, $72,000,000; 
(10) Tracking and data acquisition, $244,000,000; 
(11) Technology utilization, $4,500,000. 
(b) For "Construction of facilities," including land acquisition, as facumlT''""" °^ 
follows: 
(1) Replacement of transportation facility, Goddard Space 
Flight Center, $660,000; 
{2) Rehabilitation of vibration laboratory, Goddard Space 
Flight Center, $710,000; 
(3) Modifications of and addition to 25-foot space simulator 
building, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, $740,000; 
(4) Modification of planetary mission support facilities, Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory, $580,000; 
(5) Rehabilitation and modification of 600 pounds per square 
inch air supply system, Langley Research Center, $2,410,000; 
(6) Construction of systems engineering building, Langley 
Research Center, $1,620,000; 
(7) Rehabilitation of airfield pavement. Wallops Station, 
$570,000; 
(8) Rehabilitation of communication system. Wallops Sta-
tion, $575,000; 
(9) Modification for fire protection improvements at various 
tracking and data stations, $1,885,000; 
172 
PUBLIC LAW 93-74-JULY 23, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Research and 
program manage-
ment. 
Construction at 
other research 
facilities. 
Limitation; 
notice to congres-
sional commit-
tees. 
(10) Modification of space launch complex 2 West, Vanden-
berg Air Force Base, $980,000; 
(11) Modification of power system, Slidell Computer Com-
plex, $1,085,000; 
(12) Space Shuttle facilities at various locations, as follows: 
(A) Modifications for auxiliary propulsion and powder sys-
tems test facilities, White Sands Test Facility, $1,290,000; 
(B) Modifications for shuttle avionics integration labo-
ratory, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, $1,240,000; 
(C) Modifications for radiant heating verification facility, 
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, $1,260,000; 
(D) Modifications for the Orbiter propulsion system test 
facilities, Mississippi Test Facility, $11,300,000; 
(E) Modifications for external tank structural test facili-
ties, Marshall Space Flight Center, $4,400,000; 
(F) Modification of manufacturing and subassembly facili-
ties for the Orbiter, NASA Industrial Plant, Downey, Cali-
fornia, $2,650,000; 
(G) Modification of and addition to final assembly and 
checkout facilities for the Orbiter, Air Force Plant Number 
42, Palmdale, California, $7,350,000; 
(H) Modification of manufacturing and final assembly 
facilities for external tanks, Michoud Assembly Facility, 
$9,510,000; 
(I) Construction of Orbiter landing facilities, John F. 
Kennedy Space Center, $28,200,000; 
(13) Rehabilitation and modification of facilities at various 
locations, not in excess of $500,000 per project, $14,785,000; 
(14) Minor construction of new facilities and additions to 
existing facilities at various locations, not in excess of $250,000 
per project, $4,600,000; 
(15) Facility planning and design not otherwise provided for, 
$13,600,000. 
(c) For "Research and program management,'" $707,000,000, and 
such additional or supplemental amounts as may be necessary for 
increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits author-
ized by law of which not more than $549,020,()€0 and such additional or 
supplemental amounts as may be necessary for increases in salary, pay, 
retirement, or other employee benefits authorized by law^, shall be 
available for personnel and related costs. 
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 1(g), appropria-
tions for "Research and development" may be used (1) for any items 
of a capital nature (other than acquisition of land) which may be ac-
quired at locations other than installations of the Administration for 
the performance of research and development contracts, and (2) for 
grants to nonprofit institutions of higher education, or to nonprofit 
organizations w4iose primary purpose is the conduct of scientific 
research, for purchase or construction of additional research facilities; 
and title to such facilities shall be vested in the United States unless 
the Administrator determines that the national program of aeronauti-
cal and space activities will best be served by vesting title in any such 
grantee institution or organization. Each such grant shall be made 
under such conditions as the Administrator shall determine to be 
required to insure that the United States will receive therefrom bene-
fit adequate to justify the making of that grant. None of the funds 
appropriated for "Research and development" pursuant to this Act 
may be used in accordance with this subsection for the construction 
of any major facility, the estimated cost of which, including collateral 
equipment, exceeds $250,000, unless the Administrator or his designee 
87 
STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-74-JULY 23, 1973 
173 
has notified the Speaker of tlie House of Representatives and the 
President of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Astronautics 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Aeronautical 
and Space Sciences of the Senate of the nature, location, and estimated 
cost of such facility. 
(e) When so specified in an appropriation Act, (1) any amount 
appropriated for "Research and development" or for "Construction 
of facilities" may remain available without fiscal year limitation, and 
(2) maintenance and operation of facilities, and support services con-
tracts may be entered into under the "Research and program manage-
ment" appropriation for periods not in excess of twelve months 
beginning at any time during the fiscal year. 
(f) Appropriations made pursuant to subsection 1(c) may be used, 
but not to exceed $35,000, for scientific consultations or extraordinary 
expenses upon the approval or authority of the Administrator and 
his determination shall be final and conclusive upon the accounting 
offifcers of the Government. 
(g) Of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsections 1(a) and 
1(c), not in excess of $10,(XM) for each project, including collateral 
equipment, may be used for construction of new facilities and addi-
tions to existing facilities, and not in excess of $25,000 for each project, 
including collateral equipment, may be used for rehabilitation or modi-
ficaticn of facilities: Provided^ That of the funds appropriated pur-
suant to subsection 1(a), not in excess of $250,000 for each project, 
including collateral equipment, may be used for any of the foregoing 
for unforeseen programmatic needs. 
(h) No part of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) 
of this section may be used for grants to any nonprofit institution of 
higher learning unless the Administrator or his designee determines 
at the time of the grant that recruiting personnel of any of the Armed 
Forces of the United States are not being barred from the premises or 
property of such institution except that this subsection shall not apply 
if the Administrator or his designee determines that the ^rant is a 
continuation or renewal of a previous grant to such institution which 
is likely to make a significant contribution to the aeronautical and 
space activities of the United States. The Secretary of Defense shall 
furnish to the Administrator or his designee within sixty days after 
tlie date of enactment of this Act and each January 30 and June 30 
thereafter the names of any nonprofit institutions of higher learning 
which the Secretary of Defense determines on the date of each such 
report are barring such recruiting personnel from premises or prop-
erty of any such institution. 
SEC. 2. Authorization is hereby granted Avhereby any of the amounts 
prescribed in paragraphs (1) through (14), inclusive, of subsection 
1(b) may, in the discretion of the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, be varied upward 5 per centum 
to meet unusual cost variations, but the total cost of all work authorized 
under such paragraphs shall not exceed the total of the amounts spec-
ified in such paragraphs. 
SEC. 3. Not to exceed one-half of 1 per centum of the funds appro-
priated pursuant to subsection 1(a) hereof may be transferred to the 
"Construction of facilities" appropriation, and, when so transferred, 
together with $10,000,000 of the funds appropriated pursuant to sub-
section 1(b) hereof (other than funds appropriated pursuant to para-
graph (15) of such subsection) shall be available for expenditure to 
construct, expand, or modify laboratories and other installations at 
any location (including locations specified in subsection 1(b)), if (1) 
the Administrator determines such action to be necessary because of 
changes in the national program of aeronautical and space activities 
or new scientific or engineering developments, and (2) he determines 
Scientific con-
sultations . 
Limitations. 
Campuses 
barring military 
recruiters, grants 
prohibition. 
Report from 
Secretary of De-
fense to Adminis-
trator. 
Cost variations, 
authority of 
Administrator. 
Unforeseen pro-
gram changes, 
transfer of re-
search funds to 
construction. 
174 
PUBLIC LAW 93-74-JULY 23, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Report to 
Speaker of the 
House, President 
of the Senate, and 
congressional 
committees. 
Prohibitions. 
Geographical 
distribution of 
research funds. 
72 Stat. 429; 
78 Stat. 495. 
NASA installa-
tions, visitor 
facilities, con-
cessions. 
that deferral of such action until the enactment of the next Author-
ization Act would be inconsistent with the interest of the Nation in 
aeronautical and space activities. The funds so made available may 
be expended to acquire, construct, convert, rehabilitate, or install 
permanent or temporary public works, including land acquisition, site 
preparation, appurtenances, utilities, and equipment. No portion of 
such sums may be obligated for expenditure or expended to cons^ruct^ 
expand, or modify laboratories and other installations unless (A) a 
period of thirty days has passed after the Administrator or his designee 
has transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
to the President of the Senate and to the Committee on Science and 
Astronautics of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Aeronautical and Space Sciences of the Senate a written report con-
taining a full and complete statement concerning (1) the nature of 
such construction, expansion, or modification, (2) the cost thereof 
including the cost of any real estate action pertaining thereto, and 
(3) the reason why such construction, expansion, or modification is 
necessary in the national interest, or (B) each such committee before 
the expiration of such period has transmitted to the Administrator 
written notice to the effect that such committee has no objection to 
the proposed action. 
SEC. 4. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act— 
(1) no amount appropriated pursuant to this Act may be used 
for any program deleted by the Congress from requests as origi-
nally made to either the House Committee on Science and Astro-
nautics or the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space 
Sciences, 
(2) no amount appropriated pursuant to this Act may be used 
for any program in excess of the amount actually authorized for 
that particular program by sections 1(a) and 1(c), and 
(3) no amount appropriated pursuant to this Act may be used 
for any program which has not been presented to or requested of 
either such committee, 
unless (A) a period of thirty days has passed after the receipt by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the 
Senate and each such committee of notice given by the Administrator 
or his designee 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, or (B) each such committee before the 
expiration of such period has transmitted to the Administrator written 
notice to the effect that such committee has no objection to the pro-
posed action. 
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the 
expenditure of amounts for personnel and related costs pursuant to 
section 1(c) to exceed amounts authorized for such costs. 
SEC. 5. It is the sense of the Congress that it is in the national interest 
that consideration be given to geographical distribution of Federal 
research funds whenever feasible, and that the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration should explore ways and means of distribut-
ing its research and development funds whenever feasible. 
SEC. 6. Section 203(b) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act 
of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2473(b)), is amended by inserting 
immediately after paragraph (10) the following new paragraph: 
"(11) to provide by concession, without regard to section 321 
of the Act of June 30,1932 (47 Stat. 412; 40 U.S.C. 303b), on such 
terms as the Administrator may deem to be appropriate and to 
be necessary to protect the concessioner against loss of his invest-
ment in property (but not anticipated profits) resulting from the 
Administration's discretionary acts and decisions, for the con-
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-74-JULY 23, 1973 
175 
struction, maintenance, and operation of all manner of facilities 
and equipment for visitors to the several installations of the 
Administration and, in connection therewith, to provide services 
incident to the dissemination of information concerning its activi-
ties to such visitors, without charge or with a reasonable charge 
therefor (with this authority being in addition to any other 
authority which the Administration may have to provide facilities, 
equipment, and services for visitors to its installations). A conces-
sion agreement under this paragraph may be negotiated with any 
qualified proposer following due consideration of all proposals 
received after reasonable public notice of the intention to con-
tract. The concessioner shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity 
to make a profit commensurate with the capital invested and the 
obligations assumed, and the consideration paid by him for tlie 
concession shall be based on the probable value of such opportunity 
and not on nuiximizing revenue to the United States. Each con- recorTs^^a^ccess?-
cession agreement shall specify the manner in which the conces- biuty; possessory 
sioner's records are to be maintained, and shall provide for access interest. 
to any such records by the Administration and the Comptroller 
General of the United States for a period of five years after the 
close of the business year to which such records relate. A conces-
sioner may be accorded a possessory interest, consisting of all 
incidents of ownership except legal title (which shall vest in the 
United States), in any structure, fixture, or improA^ement he con-
structs or locates upon land owned by the United States; and, with 
the approval of the Administration, such possessory interest may 
be assigned, transferred, encumbered, or relinquished by him, 
and, unless otherwise provided by contract, shall not be extin-
guished by the expiration or other termination of the concession 
and may not be taken for public use without just compensation ;•'. 
SEC. 7. Title II of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 2471 et seq.), is amended by adding at the end ^Jl^H^^.^^^'^' 
thereof the following new section: 
u 
DISPOSAL o r EXCESS I.ANI) 
"SEC. 207. Notwithstanding the provisions of this or any other 
law, the Administration may not report to a disposal agency as excess 
to the needs of the Administration any land having an estimated 
value in excess of $50,000 which is owned by the United States and 
under the jurisdiction and control of the Administration, unless (A) 
Report. 
a period of thirty days has passed after the receipt by the Speaker 
and the Committee on Science and Astronautics of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the President and the Committee on Aeronautical 
and Space Sciences of the Senate of a report by the Administrator 
or his designee containing a full and complete statement of the action 
proposed to be taken and the facts and circumstances relied upon in 
support of such action, or (B) each such committee before the Approval 
expiration of such period has transmitted to the Administrator written 
notice to the effect that such committee has no objection to the pro-
posed action." 
SEC. 8. Section 5316, title 5, United States Code, is amended by ^^_^^ 
deleting paragraphs (15), (16), and (17) and by substituting therefor NASA 
a new paragraph (15) to read as follows: 
^° ^*^'- '^^^ 
"(15) Associate Administrators, National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration (6)." 
SEC. 9. This Act may be cited as the "National Aeronautics and 
short titie. 
Space Administration Authorization Act, 1974"'. 
Approved July 23, 1973^ 
Associate 
Administrators,