National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1984
PL 98-52 (H.R.2065), enacted 07/15/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
97 STAT. 281 
Public Law 98-52 
98th Congress 
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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I 
SEC. 101. That there is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to become available 
October 1,1983: 
(a) For "Research and development," for the following programs: 
(1) 
Space 
transportation 
capability 
development, 
$2,009,400,000; 
(2) Space transportation operations, $1,545,600,000; 
(3) Physics and astronomy, $562,100,000; 
(4) Planetary exploration, $220,400,000; 
(5) Life sciences, $59,000,000; 
(6) Space applications, $313,000,000; 
(7) Technology utilization, $10,000,000; 
(8) Aeronautical research and technology, $320,300,000; 
(9) Space research and technology, $143,000,000; and 
(10) Tracking and data systems, $700,200,000; and 
(b) For "Construction of facilities," including land acquisition, as 
follows: 
(1) Space Shuttle facilities at various locations as follows: 
(A) Modifications for additional chillers for mission con-
trol center, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, $2,300,000; 
and 
(B) Modifications to mobile launch platform, John F. 
Kennedy Space Center, $27,300,000; and 
(C) Modification of manufacturing and final assembly 
facilities for external tanks, Michoud Assembly Facility, 
$11,700,000; 
(2) Space Shuttle payload facilities at various locations as 
follows: 
(A) Construction of cargo hazardous servicing facility, 
John F. Kennedy Space Center, $9,000,000; and 
(B) Modifications to spacecraft assembly and encapsula-
tion facility for cargo processing, John F. Kennedy Space 
Center, $3,000,000; 
(3) Construction of frequency standards laboratory. Jet Pro-
pulsion Laboratory, $2,700,000; 
(4) Modifications to space flight operations facility. Jet Pro-
pulsion Laboratory, $1,600,000; 
(5) Construction 
of fluid 
mechanics 
laboratory, 
Ames 
Research Center, $3,900,000; 
July 15, 1983 
[H.R. 2065] 
National 
Aeronautics and 
Space 
Administration 
Authorization 
Act, 1984. 
Research and 
development. 
Facilities 
construction. 
97 STAT. 282 
PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
Research and 
program 
management. 
Research and 
development. 
(6) Construction of aeronautical tracking facility, Hugh L. 
Dryden Flight Research Facility, $800,000; 
(7) Modifications and addition for composite materials labora-
tory, Langley Research Center, $5,100,000; 
(8) Modifications to 30- by 60-foot wind tunnel, Langley 
Research Center, $4,400,000; 
(9) Modifications for small engine component testing facility, 
Lewis Research Center, $7,000,000; 
(10) Modifications to icing research tunnel, Lewis Research 
Center, $3,600,000; 
(11) Relocation of 26-meter STDN antenna, Spain, $1,700,000; 
(12) Repair of facilities at various locations, not in excess of 
$500,000 per project, $19,500,000; 
(13) Rehabilitation and modification of facilities at various 
locations, not in excess of $500,000 per project, $24,500,000; 
(14) Minor construction of new facilities and additions to 
existing facilities at various locations, not in excess of $250,000 
per project, $4,800,000; and 
(15) Facility planning and design not otherwise provided for, 
$9,200,000. 
(c) For "Research and program management," $1,242,500,000, and 
such additional or supplemental amounts as may be necessary for 
increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits 
authorized by law. 
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 101(g), appropri-
ations hereby authorized for "Research and development" may be 
used (1) for any items of a capital nature (other than acquisition of 
land) which may be required at locations other than installations of 
the Administration for the performance of research and develop-
ment contracts, and (2) for grants to nonprofit 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; and 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 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 benefit 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 has 
notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Presi-
dent of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the nature, location, 
and estimated cost of such facility. 
(e) When so specified and to the extent provided in an appropri-
ation Act, (1) any amount appropriated for "Research and develop-
ment" or for "Construction of facilities" may remain available 
without fiscal year limitation, and (2) maintenance and operation of 
facilities, and support services contracts may be entered into under 
the "Research and program management" appropriation for periods 
not in excess of twelve months beginning at any time during the 
fiscal year. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
97 STAT. 283 
(f) Appropriations made pursuant to subsection 101(c) may be 
used, but not to exceed $35,000, for scientific consultations or ex-
traordinary expenses upon the approval or authority of the Admin-
istrator and his determination shall be final and conclusive upon the 
accounting officers of the Government. 
(g) Of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsections 101(a) and 
101(c), not in excess of $75,000 for each project, including collateral 
equipment, may be used for construction of new facilities and 
additions to existing facilities, and for repair, rehabilitation, or 
modification of facilities: Provided, That, of the funds appropriated 
pursuant to subsection 101(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. 
SEC. 102. Authorization is hereby granted whereby any of the 
amounts prescribed in paragraphs (1) through (14), inclusive, of 
subsection 101(b)— 
(1) in the discretion of the Administrator or his designee, may 
be varied upward 10 percent, or 
(2) following a report by the Administrator or his designee to 
the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate on the circumstances of such 
action, may be varied upward 25 percent, 
to meet unusual cost variations, but the total cost of all work 
authorized under such paragraphs shall not exceed the total of the 
amounts specified in such paragraphs. 
SEC. 103. Not to exceed one half of 1 percent of the funds appropri-
ated pursuant to subsection 101(a) hereof may be transferred to and 
merged with the "Construction of facilities" appropriation, and, 
when so transferred, together with $10,000,000 of the funds appro-
priated pursuant to subsection 101(b) hereof (other than funds 
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (15) of such subsection) shall be 
available for expenditure to construct, expand, or modify laborato-
ries and other installations at any location (including locations 
specified in subsection 101(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 that deferral of 
such action until the enactment of the next authorization 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 prepara-
tion, appurtenances, utilities, and equipment. No portion of such 
sums may be obligated for expenditure or expended to construct, 
expand, or modify laboratories and other installations unless (A) a 
period of 30 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 
Technology of the House of Representatives and to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written 
report containing a full and complete statement concerning (i) the 
nature of such construction, expansion, or modification, (ii) the cost 
thereof including the cost of any real estate action pertaining 
thereto, and (iii) 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 
Scientific 
consultations or 
extraordinary 
expenses. 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
97 STAT. 284 
PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
Restrictions. 
Notification to 
congressional 
committees. 
Federal research 
funds, 
geographical 
distribution. 
42 u s e 2459 
note. 
the Administrator written notice to the effect that such committee 
has no objection to the proposed action. 
SEC. 104. 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 
originally made to either the House Committee on Science and 
Technology or the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation, 
(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 subsections 101(a) and 101(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 30 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 Administra-
tor 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 Adminis-
trator written notice to the effect that such committee has no 
objection to the proposed action. 
SEC. 105. 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 distributing its research and development funds whenever 
feasible. 
SEC. 106. The authorization for space transportation capability 
development includes provision for the production activities neces-
sary to provide for a fleet of Space Shuttle orbiters, including the 
production of structural and component spares, necessary to ensure 
confident and cost-effective operation of the orbiter fleet, as well as 
provisions for maintaining production readiness for a fifth orbiter 
vehicle. 
SEC. 107. Title III of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 
1958, as amended, is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following new section: 
MISUSE OF AGENCY NAME AND INITIALS 
42 use 2459b. 
"SEC. 310. (a) No person (as defined by section 305) may (1) 
42 use 2457. 
knowingly use the words 'National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration' or the letters 'NASA', or any combination, variation, or 
colorable imitation of those words or letters either alone or in 
combination with other words or letters, as a firm or business name 
in a manner reasonably calculated to convey the impression that 
such firm or business has some connection with, endorsement of, or 
authorization from, the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration which does not, in fact, exist; or (2) knowingly use those 
words or letters or any combination, variation, or colorable imita-
tion thereof either alone or in combination with other words or 
letters in connection with any product or service being offered or 
made available to the public in a manner reasonably calculated to 
convey the impression that such product or service has the authori-
zation, support, sponsorship, or endorsement of, or the development, 
PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
97 STAT. 285 
use, or manufacture by or on behalf of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration which does not, in fact, exist. 
"(b) Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any person 
Violations, 
is engaged in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute 
conduct prohibited by subsection (a), the Attorney General may 
initiate a civil proceeding in a district court of the United States to 
enjoin such act or practice.". 
SEC. 108. Section 103(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act 
of 1958, as amended, is amended, by striking out "and (C)" and 42 USC 2452. 
inserting in lieu thereof "(C) the operation of a space transportation 
system including the Space Shuttle, upper stages, space platforms, 
and related equipment, and (D)". 
SEC. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there shall Transfer of land. 
be transferred to NASA three government-owned tracts of NASA 
used land and improvements thereon (totalling approximately 33.5 
acres) at Ellington Air Force Base, Texas, without any transfer of 
funds therefor. 
SEC. 110. Any decision or proposed policy by the President or the 42 USC 2465. 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to commercialize 
some or all of the existing expendable launch vehicle technologies 
and associated facilities and equipment shall be presented to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of 
Representatives for their review. No such decision or policy shall be 
implemented unless (A) a period of 30 days has passed after the 
receipt by each such committee of a full and complete statement of 
the decision or proposed policy and the facts and circumstances 
relied upon in support of such decision or proposed policy, or (B) 
each such committee before the expiration of such period has trans-
mitted to the Administrator written notice to the effect that such 
committee has no objection to the decision or proposed policy. 
SEC. 111. This Act may be cited as the "National Aeronautics and Short title. 
Space Administration Authorization Act, 1984" 
TITLE II 
SEC. 201. There is authorized to be appropriated $29,336,000 for 
the fiscal year 1984 for the purpose of operating the land remote 
sensing satellite system, including provision for storage of a backup 
satellite. 
SEC. 202. Notwithstanding title II of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act, 1983, the Secretary of 
Commerce shall not transfer the ownership or management of any 
civil land, meteorological, or ocean remote sensing space satellite 
system and associated ground system equipment unless, in addition 
to any other requirement of law— 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce or his designee hsis presented, 
in writing, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
the President of the Senate, and to the Committee on Science 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, 
a comprehensive statement of recommended policies, proce-
dures, conditions, and limitations to which any transfer should 
be subject; and 
Transference of 
civil land, 
meteorological, 
or ocean remote 
sensing space 
satellite system. 
15 USC 1517 
note. 
96 Stat. 1601. 
97 STAT. 286 
PUBLIC LAW 98-52—JULY 15, 1983 
(2) the Congress thereafter enacts a law which contains such 
poHcies, procedures, conditions, or limitations (or a combination 
thereof) as it deems appropriate for any such transfer. 
Approved July 15, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2065 (S. 1096): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-65 (Comm. on Science and Technology). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-108 accompanying S. 1096 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Apr. 26, considered and passed House. 
June 15, S. 1096 considered and passed Senate. 
June 28, H.R. 2065 considered and passed Senate, amended. 
June 29, House concurred in Senate amendments.