REMOTE-SENSING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT1

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 development.

(b) The Administrator is authorized and encouraged to―

(1) conduct experimental space remote-sensing programs (including applications demonstration programs and basic research at universities);

(2) develop remote-sensing technologies and techniques, including those needed for monitoring the Earth and its environment; and

(3) conduct such research and development in cooperation with other public and private research entities, including private 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.

1 This section was enacted as section 108 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, 1965 (Public Law 98-361).

SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMERCIAL AND FOREIGN USERS 1

TITLE II-SHUTTLE PRICING POLICY FOR COMMERCIAL AND FOREIGN USERS

SEC. 201. [42 U.S.C. 2466] The Congress finds and declares that

(1) the Space Transportation System is a vital element of the United States space program, contributing to the United States leadership in space research, technology, and development;

(2) the Space Transportation System is the primary space launch system for both United States national security and civil government missions;

(3) the Space Transportation System contributes to the expansion of United States private sector investment and involvement in space and therefore should serve commercial

users;

(4) the availability of the Space Transportation System to foreign users for peaceful purposes is an important means of promoting international cooperative activities in the national interest and in maintaining access to space for activities which enhance the security and welfare of mankind;

(5) the United States is committed to maintaining world leadership in space transportation;

(6) making the Space Transportation System fully operational and cost effective in providing routine access to space will maximize the national economic benefits of the system; and

(7) national goals and the objectives for the Space Transportation System can be furthered by a stable and fair pricing policy for the Space Transportation System.

SEC. 202. [42 U.S.C. 2466a] The purpose of this title is to set the reimbursement pricing policy for the Space Transportation System for commercial and foreign users which is consistent with the findings included in section 201, encourages the full and effective use of space, and is designed to achieve the following goals—

(1) the preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in space research, technology, and development;

(2) the efficient and cost effective use of the Space Trans

portation System;

1 This title was enacted as title II of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-170).

(3) the achievement of greatly increased commercial space activity; and

(4) the enhancement of the international competitive position of the United States.

SEC. 203. [42 U.S.C. 2466b] For purposes of this title, the term

(1) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and

(2) "additive cost" means the average direct and indirect costs to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of providing additional flights of the Space Transportation System beyond the costs associated with those flights necessary to meet the space transportation needs of the United States Government.

SEC. 204. [42 U.S.C. 2466c] (a) The Administrator shall establish and implement a pricing system to recover reimbursement in accordance with the pricing policy under section 202 from each commercial or foreign user of the Space Transportation System, which except as provided in subsections (c), (d), and (e) shall include a base price of not less than $74,000,000 for each flight of the Space Transportation System in 1982 dollars.

(b) Each year the Administrator shall submit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 1, a report, transmitted contemporaneously with the annual budget request of the President, which shall inform the Congress how the policy goals contained in section 202 are being furthered by the shuttle price for foreign and commercial users.

(c)(1) If at any time the Administrator finds that the policy goals contained in section 202 are not being achieved, the Administrator shall have authority to reduce the base price established in subsection (a) after forty-five days following receipt by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 1 of a notice by the Administrator containing a description of the proposed reduction together with a full and complete statement of the facts and circumstances which necessitate such proposed reduction.

(2) In no case shall the minimum price established under subsection (c)(1) be less than additive cost.

(d) The Administrator may set a price lower than the price determined under subsection (a) or (c), or provide no-cost flights, for any commercial or foreign user of the Space Transportation System who is involved in research, development or demonstration programs with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the Administrator shall have the authority to offer reasonable customer incentives consistent with the policy goals in section 202.

1 In accordance with section 1(a)(10) of Public Law 104-14 (109 Stat. 187), "the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives shall be treated as referring to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives".