National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1983
PL 97-324 (H.R.5890), enacted 10/15/1982

PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
96 STAT. 1597 
Public Law 97-324 
97th 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. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration to become available 
October 1,1982: 
(a) For "Research and development", for the following programs: 
(1) Space Shuttle, $1,798,000,000; 
(2) Space flight operations, $1,699,000,000; 
(3) Expendable launch vehicles, $42,800,000; 
(4) Physics and astronomy, $473,700,000; 
(5) Planetary exploration, $177,600,000; 
(6) Life sciences, $55,700,000; 
(7) Space applications, $336,300,000; 
(8) Technology utilization, $9,000,000; 
(9) Aeronautical research and technology, $280,000,000; 
(10) Space research and technology, $128,000,000; and 
(11) Tracking and data acquisition, $503,900,000. 
(b) For "Construction of facilities", including land acquisition, as 
follows: 
(1) Construction of data analysis facility, Hugh L. Dryden 
Flight Research Facility, $4,500,000; 
(2) Rehabilitation and modification of utility systems, God-
dard Space Flight Center, $2,840,000; 
(3) Modifications to the 4- by 7-meter low speed tunnel, Lang-
ley Research Center, $7,200,000; 
(4) Modifications to upgrade the transonic dynamics tunnel, 
Langley Research Center, $9,000,000; 
(5) Modification of rocket engine test facility for altitude 
testing, Lewis Research Center, $995,000; 
(6) Modification to 450 PSI air system in engine research 
building, Lewis Research Center, $2,920,000; 
(7) Rehabilitation 
of airfield. 
Wallops 
Flight 
Center, 
$2,150,000; 
(8) Space Shuttle facilities at various locations as follows: 
(A) Modifications to solid rocket booster refurbishment 
and subassembly facilities, John F. Kennedy Space Center, 
$1,700,000; 
(B) Modification of manufacturing and final assembly 
facilities for external tanks, Michoud Assembly Facility, 
$17,845,000; 
(C) Minor Shuttle-unique projects, various locations, 
$1,860,000; 
Oct. 15, 1982 
[H.R. 5890] 
National 
Aeronautics and 
Space 
Administration 
Authoriation 
Act, 1983. 
Facilities 
construction. 
96 STAT. 1598 
PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
Research and 
program 
management. 
Research and 
development. 
Scientific 
consultations or 
extraordinary 
expenses. 
(9) Space Shuttle payload facility: Rehabilitation and modifi-
cation for payload ground support operations, John F. Kennedy 
Space Center, $1,740,000; 
(10) Repair of facilities at various locations, not in excess of 
$500,000 per project, $15,000,000; 
(11) Rehabilitation and modification of facilities at various 
locations, not in excess of $500,000 per project, $20,000,000; 
(12) Minor construction of new facilities and additions to 
existing facilities at various locations, not in excess of $250,000 
per project, $4,000,000; and 
(13) Facility planning and design not otherwise provided for, 
$8,250,000. 
(c) For "Research and program management", $1,168,900,000, 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 (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. 
(f) Appropriations made pursuant to subsection (c) may be used, 
but not to exceed $25,000, for scientific consultations or extraordi-
nary expenses upon the approval or authority of the Administrator 
and his determination shall be final and conclusive upon the 
accounting officers of the Government. 
(g) Of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsections (a) and (c), 
not in excess of $75,000 for each project, including collateral equip-
ment, may be used for construction of new facilities and additions to 
PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
96 STAT. 1599 
existing facilities, and for repair, rehabilitation, or modification of 
facilities: Provided, That, of the funds appropriated pursuant to 
subsection (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 (12), inclusive, of 
section 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 section 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 section 101(b) hereof (other than funds appropri-
ated pursuant to paragraph (13) of such section) shall be available 
for expenditure to construct, expand, or modify laboratories and 
other installations at any location (including locations specified in 
section 101(b)), if (1) the Administrator determines such action to be 
necessary because of changes in the national program of aeronauti-
cal and space activities or new scientific or engineering develop-
ments, 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 preparation, appurtenances, 
utilities, and equipment. No portion of such sums may be obligated 
for expenditure or expended to construct, expand, or modify labora-
tories 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 Technology of the 
House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a written report contain-
ing a full and complete statement concerning (i) the nature of such 
construction, expansion, or modification, (ii) the cost thereof includ-
ing the cost of any real estate action pertaining thereto, and (iii) the 
reason why such construction, expansion, or modification is neces-
sary 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. In calculating the thirty-day period referred to 
in the preceding sentence, any days on which either House is not in 
session because of an adjournment sine die or an adjournment of 
more than 5 days to a day certain shall be excluded, but in no event 
shall the total period extend beyond 45 days. 
SEC. 104. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act— 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
Transfer of 
funds. 
Report to 
congressional 
committees. 
96 STAT. 1600 
PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
Notification to 
congressional 
committees. 
Federal research 
funds, 
geographical 
distribution. 
42 u s e 2459 
note. 
42 u s e 2464. 
42 u s e 2464 
note. 
15 u s e 2201 
note. 
5 u s e app. 
Short title. 
(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) 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 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 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. In calculating the thirty-day period 
referred to in the preceding sentence, any days on which either 
House is not in session because of an adjournment sine die or an 
adjournment of more than five days to a day certain shall be 
excluded, but in no event shall the total period extend beyond forty-
five days. 
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. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, or any 
interagency agreement, the Administrator of the National Aeronau-
tics and Space Administration shall charge such prices as necessary 
to recover the fair value of placing Department of Defense payloads 
into orbit by means of the Space Shuttle. 
(b) This section shall apply to any Department of Defense payloads 
placed into orbit by means of the Space Shuttle on or after October 
1,1983. 
SEC. 107. (a) The Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency shall ensure that all obligations and responsibilities imposed 
by the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 are per-
formed during fiscal year 1983, including activities of the United 
States Fire Administration and the United States Fire Academy. 
(b) The Director shall reserve such funds as are appropriated to 
carry out the functions of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency as designated in Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1978 to 
conduct the operations of the United States Fire Administration, the 
United States Fire Academy, and such other functions and responsi-
bilities as are vested in the Director pursuant to the Federal Fire 
Prevention and Control Act of 1974. 
SEC. 108. This Act may be cited as the "National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration Authorization Act, 1983". 
PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
96 STAT. 1601 
TITLE II 
SEC. 201. (a) The Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized to 
plan and provide for the management and operation of a civil land 
remote sensing satellite system, including the LANDSAT D and D' 
satellites and associated ground system equipment transferred from 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; to provide for 
user fees; and to plan for the transfer of the ownership and oper-
ation of civil operational land remote sensing satellite systems by 
the private sector when in the national interest. The provisions of 
this subsection expire September 30,1984. 
(b)(1) As part of his planning for the transfer of the ownership and 
operation of civil operational land remote sensing satellite systems 
to the private sector the Secretary shall— 
(A) Conduct a study to define the current, projected, and 
potential needs of the government for land remote sensing data. 
(B) Determine and describe the equipment, software, and data 
inventory that could be transferred to the private sector. 
(C) Compare various feasible financial and organizational 
approaches for such a transfer. Criteria for the comparison 
should include considerations such as: maintenance of data 
continuity; maintenance of United States leadership; national 
security; international obligations; potential for market growth; 
marketing ability; sunk and projected cost to the Government; 
independence of subsidy or financial guarantee from the Gov-
ernment; potential of financial return to the Government; and 
price of data to users. The following institutional alternatives 
should be compared: (i) wholly private ownership and operation 
of the system by an entity competitively selected; (ii) phased-in 
Government/private ownership and operation; (iii) a legisla-
tively chartered privately owned corporation; and (iv) continued 
ownership and operation by the Federal Government. 
The Secretary shall complete these studies and report on them to 
the Congress by February 1,1983. 
(2) In addition to the studies and comparisons called for in section 
201(b)(1) the Secretary shall fund at least two parallel studies out-
side the government independently to assess the alternatives called 
for in section 201(bXlKC). These studies should be submitted to the 
Congress by April 1,1983. 
(c) There is authorized to be appropriated $14,955,000 for the fiscal 
year 1983, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this title. 
(d) No moneys authorized by this title shall be used to transfer to 
the private sector the ownership or management of any civil land 
remote sensing space satellite system and associated ground system 
equipment unless (A) a period of thirty days has passed after the 
receipt by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Presi-
dent of the Senate, the House Committee on Science and Technol-
Civil land 
remote sensing 
satellite systems. 
15 u s e 1517 
note. 
Expiration. 
Study. 
Report to 
Congress. 
Parallel studies, 
submittal to 
Congress. 
96 STAT. 1602 
PUBLIC LAW 97-324—OCT. 15, 1982 
ogy, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation, of a message from the Secretary of Commerce or his 
designee containing a full and complete plan for the action proposed 
to be taken together with the reasons therefor and expected funding 
impacts, or (B) each such committee before the expiration of such 
period has transmitted to the Secretary written notice to the effect 
that such committee has no objection to the proposed action. 
Approved October 15, 1982. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5890 (S. 2604): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 97-502 (Comm. on Science and Technology) and No. 97-897 
(Comm. of Conference). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, VoL 128 (1982): 
May 13, considered and passed House. 
June 9, S. 2604 considered and passed Senate; proceedings vitiated and H.R. 
5890, amended, passed in lieu. 
Sept. 30, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Oct. 1, House agreed to conference report.