Space Policy (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
June 29, 1987 |
| Report Number |
IB87018 |
| Authors |
Patricia Humphlett and Marcia Smith, Science Policy Research Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In the wake of the Challenger tragedy and other launch vehiclefailures in 1986 affecting both civilian and national security spacemissions, Congress is paying more attention to space activities and theirunderlying policy than at any time since the beginning of the Apolloprogram. The dominant issues include NASA's continued recovery from theshuttle accident, plans for building a space station, NASA management,duplication between NASA and DOD, commercialization and privatization ofspace, the space policy decision-making mechanism, and long-term goals.Coupled with the strong increase in military space activities, spacepolicy has been catapulted once again into the national scene.Traditionally, space issues are debated in the context of fundingbills for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and theDepartment of Defense (DOD). Most oversight of the issues discussed in this issue brief will probably occur at the committee level during authorization andappropriation hearings. However, in the aftermath of the shuttleaccident, some feel it is time for Congress to look at space policy morebroadly.
