Congressional Research Service Reports - 153 Matching Results

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Space Stations
Congress continues to debate NASA’s International Space Station (ISS), a permanently occupied facility in Earth orbit where astronauts live and conduct research. Congress appropriated approximately $35 billion for the program from FY1985-2005. The initial FY2006 ISS request was $2.180 billion: $1.857 billion for construction and operations and $324 million for research to be conducted by ISS crews. In a July budget amendment, NASA transferred $168 million for ISS Crew/Cargo Services to another part of the NASA budget and reduced the ISS request commensurately. The final version of the FY2006 appropriations bill that includes NASA (H.R. 2862) cuts $80 million from the originally submitted budget, and NASA now plans to spend $306 million, instead of $324 million, on ISS research in FY2006.
The International Space Station and the Space Shuttle
This report discusses the International Space Station (ISS) program, which began in 1993, with Russia joining the United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada.
China's Space Program: An Overview
The People’s Republic of China successfully completed its second human spaceflight mission on October 17, 2005. China is only the third country, after Russia and the United States, able to launch people into space. Its first human spaceflight was in 2003 when a single astronaut, or “taikonaut,” made a flight lasting slightly less than a day. The 2005 flight lasted five days, and involved two taikonauts. As the United States embarks upon President Bush’s “Vision for Space Exploration” to return astronauts to the Moon by 2020 and someday send them to Mars, some may view China’s entrance into the human exploration of space as a competitive threat, while others may view China as a potential partner.
Antisatellites (Killer Satellites)
This issue brief discusses "killer satellites," the unofficial moniker for antisatellite (ASAT) missiles possessed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as U.S. efforts to develop ASAT systems and simultaneously limit their development and use.
China's Space Program: An Overview
This report discusses the nature and scope of the Chinese space program. The People's Republic of China launched its first astronaut, or "taikonaut," Lt. Col. Yang Liwei, on October 15, 2003 Beijing time (October 16 Eastern Daylight Time). China thus became only the third country, after Russia and the United States, able to launch humans into orbit. Lt. Col. Yang landed on October 16 Beijing time (October 15 EDT) after making 14 orbits (21 hours and 23 minutes).
Space Launch Vehicles: Government Activities, Commercial Competition, and Satellite Exports
Launching satellites into orbit, once the exclusive domain of the U.S. and Soviet governments, today is an industry in which companies in the United States, Europe, China, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, and India compete. In the United States, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to be responsible for launches of its space shuttle, and the Air Force has responsibility for launches associated with U.S. military and intelligence satellites, but all other launches are conducted by private sector companies. Since the early 1980s, Congress and successive Administrations have taken actions, including passage of several laws, to facilitate the U.S. commercial space launch services business. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the industry.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
The future of the U.S. human space flight program is dominating debate about NASA. Pursuant to the "Vision for Space Exploration" announced by President Bush in January 2004, the shuttle program is to be terminated in 2010. The Vision directs NASA to focus its activities on returning humans to the Moon by 2020 and eventually sending them to Mars. How to manage Department of Defense (DOD) space programs to avoid the cost growth and schedule delays that have characterized several recent projects is a key issue facing DOD. The appropriate role of the government in facilitating commercial space businesses is an ongoing debate.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
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U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
No Description Available.
U.S. Space Programs: Civilian, Military, and Commercial
The 109th Congress is addressing a broad range of civilian, military, and commercial space issues. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducts the most visible space activities. For FY2005, NASA received a total of $16.2 billion. The FY2006the request is $16.46 billion; the conference report on the FY2006 appropriations bill that includes NASA (H.R. 2862) approves that amount.
National Security Space Launch at a Crossroads
This report examines the history and current status of the EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) program. The United States is in the midst of making significant changes in how best to pursue an acquisition strategy that would ensure continued access to space for national security missions. The current strategy for the EELV program dates from the 1990s and has since been revised a few times.
The Future of NASA: Space Policy Issues Facing Congress
This report analyzes questions regarding space policy challenges and gives some possible answers. It also addresses a number of cross-cutting issues, such as NASA's interactions with other federal agencies and the growing role of the commercial space industry.
The Future of NASA: Space Policy Issues Facing Congress
This report analyzes questions regarding space policy challenges and gives some possible answers. It also addresses a number of cross-cutting issues, such as NASA's (the National Aeronautics and Space Agency's) interactions with other federal agencies and the growing role of the commercial space industry.
NASA: Issues for Authorization, Appropriations, and Oversight in the 114th Congress
Spaceflight fascinates and inspires many Americans, but in a time of constrained federal budgets, it must compete with a multitude of other national priorities. As the 114th Congress conducts oversight and considers authorization and appropriations legislation for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an overarching question will be how NASA should move forward within budget constraints. This report discusses a number of issues that arise within the framework of that question. This report begins with some context: a brief survey of NASA’s organization and programs, a summary of recent NASA authorization legislation, and an overview of NASA’s budget.
United States and Soviet Progress in Space: Some New Contrasts
This report discusses the history of the "Space Race" between the United States and the Soviet Union and compares each nations accomplishments and current projects as well as future prospects.
The International Space Station and the Space Shuttle
This report discusses the International Space Station (ISS) program, which began in 1993, with Russia joining the United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Crews have occupied ISS on a 4-6 month rotating basis since November 2000.
The Future of NASA: Space Policy Issues Facing Congress
This report analyzes questions regarding space policy challenges and gives some possible answers. It also addresses a number of cross-cutting issues, such as NASA's interactions with other federal agencies and the growing role of the commercial space industry.
The International Space Station and the Space Shuttle
This report discusses recent developments and funding for the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle program.
Hubble Space Telescope: NASA's Plans for a Servicing Mission
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) estimates that without a servicing mission to replace key components, the Hubble Space Telescope will cease scientific operations in 2008. In January 2004, then-NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe announced that the space shuttle would no longer be used to service Hubble. Hubble supporters criticized this as a result of President Bush's new Vision for Space Exploration; said supporters sought to reverse the decision and proceed with a shuttle servicing mission. In October 2006, NASA approved a shuttle mission to service Hubble. That mission is now scheduled for October 8, 2008.
U.S. Civilian Space Policy Priorities: Reflections 50 Years After Sputnik
This report describes Sputnik and its influence on today's U.S. civilian space policy, the actions other nations and commercial organizations are taking in space exploration, and why the nation invests in space exploration and the public's attitude toward it. The report concludes with a discussion of possible options for future U.S. civilian space policy priorities and the implication of those priorities.
NASA's Space Shuttle Program: Issues for Congress Related to The Columbia Tragedy and "Return to Flight"
No Description Available.
NASA's Space Shuttle
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NASA's Space Shuttle
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NASA's Space Shuttle
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NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
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NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
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NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
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