National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1985
PL 98-361 (H.R.5154), enacted 07/16/1984

98 STAT. 422 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
Public Law 98-361 
98th Congress 
July 16, 1984 
[H.R. 5154] 
National 
Aeronautics 
and Space 
Administration 
Authorization 
Act, 1985. 
An Act 
To authorize appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
for research and development, space flight, control and data communications, 
construction of facilities, and research and program management, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it eruicted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may 
be cited as the "National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
Authorization Act, 1985". 
TITLE I—AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 101. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to become available 
October 1,1984: 
(a) For "Research and development", for the following programs: 
(1) Space transportation capability development, $351,400,000; 
(2) Space station, $150,000,000 
(3) Physics and astronomy, $696,200,000; 
(4) Life sciences, $63,300,000; 
(5) Planetary exploration, $296,900,000: 
(6) Space applications, $390,100,000 of which $45,000,000 is 
author^ed only for the Advanced Communications Technology 
Satellite flight program which is designed to lead to a launch of 
such satellite no later than 1989; 
(7) Technology utilization, $9,500,000; 
(8) Aeronautical research and technol(^y, $352,400,000, of 
which $24,000,000 is authorized only for activities which are 
designed to lead to a flight test of a single rotation or counter 
rotation turboprop concept no later than 1987 (and for support-
ing research and technology); 
(9) Space research and technology, $150,000,000; and 
(10) Tracking and data advanced systems, $15,300,000. 
(b) For "Space flight, control and data communications", for the 
following programs: 
(1) Space shuttle production and operational capability, 
$1,470,600,000; 
(2) Space transportation operations, $1,319,000,000; and 
(3) Space and ground network, communications and data 
systems, $795,700,000. 
(c) Except as provided in section 102(a), for "Construction of 
facilities", including land acquisition, as follows: 
(1) Repaii^ to test stand 500, George C. Marshall Space Flight 
Center, $1,600,000; 
(2) Space shuttle facilities at various locations as follows: 
(A) Modifications of site electrical substetion, Lyndon B. 
Johnson Space Center, $3,200,000; 
(B) ModiH^cation for single engine testing. National Space 
Technology Laboratories, $3,000,000; 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
98 STAT. 423 
(C) Construction of launch complex 39 logistics facility, 
John F. Kennedy Space Center, $10,000,000; 
(D) Construction of solid rocket booster assembly and 
refurbishment facility, John F. Kennedy Space Center, 
$15,000,000; 
(3) Space shuttle payload facilities at various locations as 
follows: 
(A) Construction of additions to cargo hazardous servicing 
facility, John F. Kennedy Space Center, $4,600,000; 
(B) Construction of biomedical research facility, Ames 
^ 
Research Center, $2,100,000; 
(4) Construction of addition to network control center, God-
dard Space Flight Center, $2,200,000; 
(5) Construction of Earth and space science laboratory. Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory, $12,200,000; 
(6) Construction of numerical aerod3niamic simulation facil-
ity, Ames Research Center, $11,500,000; 
(7) Modifications of the 8-foot high temperature tunnel, Lang-
ley Research Center, $13,800,000; 
(8) Construction of 34-meter antenna, Madrid, Spain, 
$6,000,000; 
(9) Modifications of 64-meter antenna, DSS-63, Madrid, Spain, 
$7,800,000; 
(10) Repair of facilities at various locations, not in excess of 
$750,000 per project, $20,000,000; 
(11) Rehabilitation and modification of facilities at various 
locations, not in excess of $750,000 per project, $25,000,000; 
(12) Minor construction of new facilities and additions to 
existing facilities at various locations, not in excess of $500,000 
per project, $5,000,000; and 
(13) Facility planning and design not otherwise provided for, 
$12,000,000. 
(dXD For "Research and program management", $1,316,000,000, 
and such additional or supplemental amounts as may be necessary 
for increases in salary, pay, retirement, or other employee benefits 
authorized by law. 
(2) Of the funds authorized under paragraph (1) $1,000,000 shall be 
available for the activities of the National Commission on Space, 
established pursuant to title II of this Act. 
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (h), appropria- Grants, nomfi 
tions hereby authorized for "Research and development" and 
"Space flight, control and data communications" 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 development 
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" and "Space flight, control and data 
98 STAT. 424 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
42 u s e 2459a. 
Report. 
communications" 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 
$500,000, unless the Administrator or the Administrator's designee 
has notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
President of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technol-
ogy of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate of the nature, 
location, and estimated cost of such facility. 
(f) When so specified and to the extent provided in an appropria-
tion Act, (1) any amount appropriated for "Research and develop-
ment," for "Space flight, control and data communications" 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. 
(g) Appropriations made pursuant to subsection (d) may be used, 
but not to exceed $35,000, for scientific consultations or extraordi-
nary expenses upon the approval or authority of the Administrator 
and the Administrator's determination shall be final and conclusive 
upon the accounting officers of the Government. 
(h) Of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsections (a), (b), and 
(d), not in excess of $100,000 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 (a) or (b), not in excess of $500,000 for each 
project, including collateral equipment, may be used for any of the 
foregoing for unforeseen programmatic needs. 
SEC. 102. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 101(c) of the 
title, the total amount authorized to be appropriated by such section 
shall be $5,000,000 less than the sum of the amounts contained in 
paragraphs (1) through (13) of such section for individual projects. 
Qa) After the reduction specified in subsection (a) of this section is 
made, authorization is granted whereby any of the amounts pre-
scribed in paragraphs (1) through (12) inclusive, of section 101(c)— 
(1) in the discretion of the Administrator or the Administra-
tor's designee, may be varied upward 10 per centum, or 
(2) following a report by the Administrator or the Administra-
tor's 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 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 specified in such paragraphs. 
SEC. 103. Not to exceed one-half of 1 per centum of the funds 
appropriated pursuant to section 101(a) or 101(b) hereof may be 
transferred to and merged with the "Construction of facilities" 
appropriation, and, when so transferred, together with $10,000,000 
of funds appropriated pursuant to section 101(c) hereof (other than 
funds appropriated pursuant to paragraph (13) of such section) shall 
be available for expenditure to construct, expand, and modify lab-
oratories and other installation at any location (including locations 
specified in section 101(c)), if (1) the Administrator determines such 
action to be necessary because of changes in the national program of 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
98 STAT. 425 
aeronautical and space activities or new scientific or engineering 
developments, and (2) the Administrator 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 
period of thirty days has passed after the Administrator or the 
Administrator's 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 Repre-
sentatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a written report containing a full and 
complete statement concerning (A) the nature of such construction, 
expansion, or modification, (B) the cost thereof including the cost of 
any real estate action pertaining thereto, and (C) the reason why 
such construction, expansion, or modification is necessary in the 
national interest. 
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 sections 101(a), 101(b), and 101(d); 
and 
(3) no amount appropriated pursuant to this Act may be used 
for any program which has not been presented to either such 
committeee; 
unless 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 Administra-
tor or the Administrator's 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. 
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 shuttle production and operational 
capability includes provisions for the production of structural spares 
and the critical skills necessary for installation of electrical, me-
chanical, and fluid systems thereby maintaining production readi-
ness for a fifth orbiter vehicle. 
SEC. 107. No civil space station authorized under section 101(a)(2) 
of this title may be used to carry or place in orbit any nuclear 
weapon or any other weapon of mass destruction, to install any such 
weapon on any celestial body, or to station any such weapon in space 
in any other manner. This civil space station may be used only for 
peaceful purposes. 
Report. 
Funds. 
42 u s e 2459 
note. 
Defense and 
national 
security. 
98 STAT. 426 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
15 use 4261 
note. 
42 use 2451. 
eongress. 
Defense and 
national 
security. 
Property, 
Federal. 
SEC. 108. (a) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration is directed to continue and to enhance such 
Administration's programs of remote-sensing research and develop-
ment. 
(b) The Administrator is authorized and encouraged to— 
(1) conduct experimental space remote-sensing prog^rams 
(including applications demonstration programs and basic re-
search at universities); 
(2) develop remote-sensing technologies and techniques, in-
cluding those needed for monitoring the Earth and its environ-
ment; and 
(3) conduct such research and development in cooperation 
with other public and private research entities, including pri-
vate industry, universities, Federal, State, and local government 
agencies, foreign governments, and international organizations, 
and to enter into arrangements (including joint ventures) which 
will foster such cooperation. 
SEC. 109. It is the intent of the Congress that expenditures made 
from sums appropriated pursuant to the authorization contained in 
subsection (aXS) of section 101 of this Act for activities in the 
advanced turboprop program should be recouped by the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration if and when commercially 
successful products are developed by the aircraft industry as a direct 
result of such activities. For this purpose the Administrator shall 
submit to Congress within sixty days of enactment of this Act a plan 
for the payment to the Administrator of royalties by firms in the 
aircraft industry with respect to any such products which may be so 
developed by them. 
SEC. 110. (a) Section 102 of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Act of 1958, as amended, is amended— 
(1) by striking out "(e) and (f)" in subsection (g) and inserting 
in lieu thereof "(e), (f), and (g)"; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (g) as subsections 
(d) through (h); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsec-
tion: 
"(c) The Congress declares that the general welfare of the United 
States requires that the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration (as established by title II of this Act) seek and encourage, to 
the maximum extent possible, the fullest commercial use of space.". 
(b) Section 102(d)(1) of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 
1958, as amended (and as redesignated by subsection (a) of this 
section), is amended by inserting "of the Earth and" after "knowl-
edge". 
SEC. 111. (a) Any Federal personal property may be disposed of in 
accordance with subsection (b) if such property— 
(1) is scientific research or development equipment and is not 
personal property that may be used for general administrative 
purposes; 
(2) has been loaned by the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration to any academic institution or nonprofit organi-
zation; and 
(3) as of March 31, 1984, has been on loan to any such 
institution or organization for at least two years. 
(b) The Administrator may transfer title to property described in 
subsection (a) to an academic institution or nonprofit organization if 
the Administrator certifies that— 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
98 STAT. 427 
(1) such property is being used by the institution or organiza-
tion holding such property for a purpose consistent with the use 
intended when the property was loaned; and 
(2) the Administration will no longer need such property. 
TITLE II—NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SPACE 
PURPOSE 
r 
SEC. 201. It is the purpose of this title to establish a National 42 use 2451 
Commission on Space that will assist the United States— 
^°^-
(1) to define the long-range needs of the Nation that may be 
fulfilled through the peaceful uses of outer space; 
(2) to maintain the Nation's preeminence in space science, 
technology, and applications; 
(3) to promote the peaceful exploration and utilization of the 
space environment; and 
i 
(4) to articulate goals and develop options for the future 
, 
direction of the Nation's civilian space program. 
f 
FINDINGS 
SEC. 202. The Congress finds and declares that— 
Congress. 
(1) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 42 use 2451 
lead civilian space agency, as established in the National Aero- " 
nautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended, has conducted a 42 use 2451 
space program that has been an unparalleled success, providing ^°^-
significant economic, social, scientific, and national security 
benefits, and helping to maintain international stability and 
good will; 
(2) the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), has provided the policy frame-
work for achieving this success, and continues to be a sound 
statutory basis for national efforts in space; 
(3) the United States is entering a new era of international 
competition and cooperation in space, and therefore this Nation 
must strengthen the commitment of its public and private 
technical, financial, and institutional resources, so that the 
United States will not lose its leadership position during this 
decade; 
(4) while there continues to be a crucial Government role in 
space science, advanced research and development, provision of 
public goods and services and coordination of national and 
international efforts, advances in applications of space tech-
nology have raised many issues regarding public and private 
sector roles and relationships in technology development, appli-
cations, and marketing; 
(5) the private sector will continue to evolve as a major 
participant in the utilization of the space environment; 
(6) the Nation is committed to a permanently manned space 
station in low Earth orbit, and future national efforts in space 
will benefit from the presence of such a station; 
(7) the separation of the civilian and military space programs 
, iAs-iior/:) 
is essential to ensure the continued health and vitality of both; 
and 
(8) the identification of long range goals and policy options for 
the United States civilian space program through a high level. 
98 STAT. 428 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
representational public forum will assist the President and 
Congress in formulating future policies for the United States 
civilian space program. 
President of U.S. 
42 u s e 2451 
note. 
Congress. 
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON SPACE 
SEC. 203. (a)(1) The President shall within ninety days of the 
enactment of this Act establish a National Commission on Space 
(hereinafter in this title referred to as the "Commission"), which 
shall be composed of 15 members appointed by the President. The 
members appointed under this subsection shall be selected from 
among individuals from Federal, State, and local governments, in-
dustry, business, labor, academia, and the general population who, 
by reason of their background, education training, or experience, 
possess expertise in scientific and technological pursuits, as well as 
the use and implications of the use of such pursuits. Of the fifteen 
members appointed, not more than three members may be employ-
ees of the Federal Government. The President shall designate one of 
the members of the Commission appointed under this subsection to 
serve as Chairman, and one of the members to serve as Vice 
Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall perform the functions of the 
Chairman in the Chairman's absence. 
(2) Members appointed by the President under paragraph (1) of 
this subsection may be paid at a rate not to exceed the daily 
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect under section 
5332 of title 5, United States Code, for grade GS-18 of the General 
Schedule for each day, including traveltime, during which such 
members are engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the 
Commission. While away from their homes or regular places of 
business, such members may be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons 
employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed 
under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code. Individuals who 
are not officers or employees of the United States and who are 
members of the Commission shall not be considered officers or 
employees of the United States by reason of receiving payments 
under this paragraph. 
(bXD The President shall appoint one individual from each of the 
following Federal departments and agencies to serve as ex officio, 
advisory, non-voting members of the Commission (if such depart-
ment or agency does not already have a member appointed to the 
Commission pursuant to subsection (aXD): 
(A) National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
(B) Department of State. 
(C) Department of Defense. 
(D) Department of Transportation. 
(E) Department of Commerce. 
(F) Department of Agriculture. 
(G) Department of the Interior. 
(H) National Science Foundation. 
(I) Office of Science and Technology Policy. 
(2) The President of the Senate shall appoint two advisory mem-
bers of the Commission from among the Members of the Senate and 
the SpesLker of the House of Representatives shall appoint two 
advisory members of the Commission from among the Members of 
the House of Representatives. Such members shedl not participate. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
98 STAT. 429 
except in an advisory capacity, in the formulation of the findings 
and recommendations of the Commission. 
(3) Members of the Commission appointed under this subsection 
shall not be entitled to receive compensation for service relating to 
the performance of the duties of the Commission, but shall be 
entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while in the 
actual performance of the duties of the Commission. 
(c) The Commission shall appoint and fix the compensation of such 
personnel as it deems advisable. The Chairman of the Commission 
shall be responsible for— 
(1) the assignment of duties and responsibilities among such 
personnel and their continuing supervision; and 
(2) the use and expenditures of funds available to the Commis-
sion. 
In carrying out the provisions of this subsection, the Chairman shall 
act in accordance with the general policies of the Commission. 
(d) To the extent permitted by law, the Commission may secure 
directly from any executive department, agency, or independent 
instrumentality of the Federal Government any information it 
deems necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Each such 
department, agency, and instrumentality shall cooperate with the 
Commission and, to the extent permitted by law and upon request of 
the Chairman of the Commission, furnish such information to the 
Commission. 
(e) The Commission may hold hearings, receive public comment 
and testimony, initiate surveys, and undertake other appropriate 
activities to gather the information necessary to carry out its activi-
ties under section 204 of this title. 
(f) The Commission shall cease to exist sixty days after it has 
Expiration date, 
submitted the plan required by section 204(c) of this title. 
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 204. (a) The Commission shall study existing and proposed 
42 use 2451 
space activities and formulate an agenda for the United States ^°^^-
civilian space program. The Commission shall identify long range 
goals, opportunities, and policy options for United States civilian 
space activity for the next twenty years. In carrying out this respon-
sibility, the Commission shall take into consideration— 
(1) the commitment by the Nation to a permanently manned 
space station in low Earth orbit; 
(2) present and future scientific, economic, social, environ-
mental, and foreign policy needs of the United States, and 
methods by which space science, technology, and applications 
initiatives might address those needs; 
(3) the adequacy of the Nation's public and private capability 
in fulfilling the needs identified in paragraph (2); 
(4) how a cooperative interchange between Federal agencies 
on research and technology development programs can benefit 
the civilian space program; 
(5) opportunities for, and constraints on, the use of outer 
space toward the achievement of Federal program objectives or 
national needs; 
(6) current and emerging issues and concerns that may arise 
through the utilization of space research, technology develop-
ment, and applications; 
98 STAT. 430 
PUBLIC LAW 98-361—JULY 16, 1984 
(7) the Commission shall analyze the findings of the reviews 
specified in paragraphs (1) through (6) of this subsection, and 
develop options and recommendations for a long range national 
civilian space policy plan. 
(b) Options and recommendations submitted in accordance with 
subsection (a)(7) of this section shall include, to the extent appropri-
ate, an estimate of costs and time schedules, institutional require-
ments, and statutory modifications necessary for implementation of 
such options and recommendations. 
(c) Within twelve months after the date of the establishment of 
the Commission, the Commission shall submit to the President and 
to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House 
of Representatives, a long range plan for United States civilian 
space activity incorporating the results of the studies conducted 
under this section, together with recommendations for such legisla-
tion as the Commission determines to be appropriate. 
Approved July 16, 1984. 
•tiqv. 
- ! : 
• ? . . ; . - ' , v . TV V . 
/_f 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5154: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 98-629 (Comm. on Science and Technology) and No. 98-873 
(Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-455 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Mar. 28, considered and passed House. 
June 21, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
, 
June 27, Senate agreed to conference report. 
>, 
June 28, House agreed to conference report.