Congressional Research Service Reports - 153 Matching Results
Search Results
- 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).
- 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.
- China's Space Program: Options for U.S.-China Cooperation
- China has a determined, yet still modest, program of civilian space activities planned for the next decade. The potential for U.S.-China cooperation in space -- an issue of interest to Congress -- has become more controversial since the January 2007 Chinese anti-satellite test. Some argue that Chinese capabilities now threaten U.S. space assets in low earth orbit. Others stress the need to expand dialogue with China. This report outlines recent activities and future plans in China's civilian space sector. It also discusses benefits and trade-offs of possible U.S.-China collaboration in space, as well as several options to improve space relations, including information exchange, policy dialogue, and joint activities.
- China's Space Program: Options for U.S.-China Cooperation
- This report outlines recent activities and future plans in China's civilian space sector. It also discusses benefits and trade-offs of possible U.S.-China collaboration in space, as well as several options to improve space relations, including information exchange, policy dialogue, and joint activities. The report also includes discussion of China's controversial January 2007 testing of antisatellite weapons.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Programs: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses congressional concerns regarding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) programs' costs, management, and efficacy and how to best resolve the issues within ISR programs. Updated February 22, 2005.
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Programs: Issues for Congress
- This report discusses congressional concerns regarding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) programs' costs, management, and efficacy and how to best resolve the issues within ISR programs.
- The International Space Station and the Iran Nonproliferation Act (INA): The Bush Administration's Proposed INA Amendment
- The Iran Nonproliferation Act (P.L. 106-178), as originally enacted, prohibited the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from purchasing Russian goods and services for the U.S.-led International Space Station (ISS) unless the President certified that Russia was not proliferating certain technologies to Iran. On July 12, 2005, the Bush Administration submitted to Congress an amendment to allow NASA to purchase goods and services from Russia to support the ISS. That presented a classic policy dilemma. Without access to Russian spacecraft, the U.S. use of the ISS could be extremely limited. Yet Russian entities were continuing proliferation activities relating to missile proliferation according to the Department of State. This report explains the Bush Administration proposal and resulting congressional action.
- The International Space Station and the Iran Nonproliferation Act (INA): The Bush Administration's Proposed INA Amendment
- No Description Available.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- The Iran Nonproliferation Act and the International Space Station: Issues and Options
- The Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (INA) was enacted to help stop foreign transfers to Iran of weapons of mass destruction, missile technology, and advanced conventional weapons technology, particularly from Russia. Section 6 of the INA bans U.S. payments to Russia in connection with the International Space Station (ISS) unless the U.S. President determines that Russia is taking steps to prevent such proliferation. The ISS is currently under construction in orbit. According to current plans, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will become dependent on Russia for certain ISS crew-related services beginning in April 2006 for which NASA must pay. Thus, the INA could significantly affect U.S. utilization of ISS. This report outlines the history of INA, its effect on Russian and Iranian proliferation, its impact on the ISS program, and options for resolving associated issues.
- The Iran Nonproliferation Act and the International Space Station: Issues and Options
- The Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 (INA) was enacted to help stop foreign transfers to Iran of weapons of mass destruction, missile technology, and advanced conventional weapons technology, particularly from Russia. Section 6 of the INA bans U.S. payments to Russia in connection with the International Space Station (ISS) unless the U.S. President determines that Russia is taking steps to prevent such proliferation. The ISS is currently under construction in orbit. According to current plans, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will become dependent on Russia for certain ISS crew-related services beginning in April 2006 for which NASA must pay. Thus, the INA could significantly affect the U.S. utilization of ISS. This report outlines the history of INA, its effect on Russian and Iranian proliferation, its impact on the ISS program, and options for resolving associated issues. It will not be updated.
- Landsat and the Data Continuity Mission
- This report discusses the U.S. Landsat Mission, which has collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface for more than 35 years. The two satellites currently in orbit are operating beyond their designed life and may fail at any time. Most Landsat data is used by federal agencies. Efforts to commercialize Landsat operations have not been successful. This report discusses issues facing Congress regarding funding for new Landsat satellites.
- Landsat and the Data Continuity Mission
- This report discusses the U.S. Landsat Mission, which has collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface for more than 35 years. The two satellites currently in orbit are operating beyond their designed life and may fail at any time. Most Landsat data is used by federal agencies. Efforts to commercialize Landsat operations have not been successful. This report discusses issues facing Congress regarding funding for new Landsat satellites.
- Landsat and the Data Continuity Mission
- This report discusses the U.S. Landsat Mission, which has collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface for more than 35 years. The two satellites currently in orbit are operating beyond their designed life and may fail at any time. Most Landsat data is used by federal agencies. Efforts to commercialize Landsat operations have not been successful. This report discusses issues facing Congress regarding funding for new Landsat satellites.
- Landsat and the Data Continuity Mission
- This report discusses the U.S. Landsat Mission, which has collected remotely sensed imagery of the Earth's surface for more than 35 years. The two satellites currently in orbit are operating beyond their designed life and may fail at any time. Most Landsat data is used by federal agencies. Efforts to commercialize Landsat operations have not been successful. This report discusses issues facing Congress regarding funding for new Landsat satellites.
- The Manhattan Project, the Apollo Program, and Federal Energy Technology R&D Programs: A Comparative Analysis
- Some policymakers have concluded that the energy challenges facing the United States are so critical that a concentrated investment in energy research and development (R&D) should be undertaken. The Manhattan project, which produced the atomic bomb, and the Apollo program, which landed American men on the moon, have been cited as examples of the success such R&D investments can yield. Investment in federal energy technology R&D programs of the 1970s, in response to two energy crises, have generally been viewed as less successful than the earlier two efforts. This report compares and contrasts the goals of, and the investments in, the three initiatives, which may provide useful insights for Congress as it assesses and debates the nation's energy policy.
- Military Role in Space Control: A Primer
- No Description Available.
- Military Space Programs: Issues Concerning DOD's SBIRS and STSS Programs
- No Description Available.
- Military Space Programs: Issues Concerning DOD's SBIRS and STSS Programs
- No Description Available.
- Military Space Programs: Issues Concerning DOD's SBIRS and STSS Programs
- No Description Available.
- Military Space Programs: Issues Concerning DOD's SBIRS and STSS Programs
- No Description Available.
- Military Space Programs: Issues Concerning DOD's SBIRS and STSS Programs
- This report discusses the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS, formerly SBIRS-Low), managed by the Missile Defense Agency, which performs missile tracking and target discrimination for missile defense objectives.
- 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.
- NASA's Space Shuttle
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia: Quick Facts and Issues for Congress
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Program: Issues for Congress Related to The Columbia Tragedy and "Return to Flight"
- No Description Available.
- NASA's Space Shuttle Program: The Columbia Tragedy, the Discovery Mission, and the Future of the Shuttle
- This report discusses the Columbia tragedy, the Discovery mission, and issues for Congress regarding the future of the shuttle.
- NASA's Voyager Spacecraft: A Fact Sheet
- This report discusses the Voyager 2, which was launched on August 20, 1977, from Cape Canaveral. Their current mission is to extend the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) exploration of the outermost edge of the solar system and the region where the sun’s influence ends.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2009 Budget, and Issues for Congress
- This report discusses budget issues for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which conducts U.S. civilian space and aeronautics activities. The President's 2004 Moon/Mars Vision for Space Exploration is the major focus of NASA's activities.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2009 Budget, and Issues for Congress
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducts U.S. civilian space and aeronautics activities. For FY2009, the Administration requested $17.614 billion for NASA, and increase of 1.8% from the FY2008 appropriation of $17.309 billion. The President's 2004 Moon/Mars Vision for Space Exploration is the major focus of NASA's activities. Issues for Congress regarding this goal include the development of new vehicles for human spaceflight, plans for the transition to these vehicles after the space shuttle is retired in 2010, and the balance in NASA's priorities between human space exploration and the agency's activities in science and aeronautics.
- 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.
- An Overview of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE)
- Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) central contribution to the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). The MTPE program provides scientific information so policymakers and scientists can formulate strategies to mitigate human impacts on Earth's environment, such as ozone depletion, deforestation, and possible global warming.
- Satellite Television: Provisions of SHVIA and LOCAL, and Continuing Issues
- No Description Available.
- Satellite Television: Provisions of SHVIA and LOCAL, and Continuing Issues
- No Description Available.