[EDITORS NOTE: This document is formatted in 10 point courier with right margin of 5.5] NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION FY 1996 BUDGET SUMMARY (Millions of Dollars) FY 1995 FY 1996 HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 5,514.9 5,509.6 SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS & TECHNOLOGY 5,943.6 6,006.9 MISSION SUPPORT 2,589.2 2,726.2 INSPECTOR GENERAL 16.0 17.3 NATIONAL AERONAUTICAL FACILITIES 400.0 TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY 14,463.7 14,260.0 TOTAL OUTLAYS 14,239.4 14,125.3 FY 1995 FY 1996 HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 5,514.9 5,509.6 SPACE STATION 1,889.6 1,833.6 Development 1,752.4 1,612.8 Construction of Facilities [20.2] [14.8] Utilization Support 28.3 67.9 Operations 108.9 152.9 US/RUSSIAN COOPERATIVE PROGRAM 150.1 129.2 Russian Space Agency Operations 100.0 100.0 Mir Support 50.1 29.2 SPACE SHUTTLE 3,155.1 3,231.8 Shuttle Operations 2,415.3 2,394.8 Safety/Performance Upgrades 739.8 837.0 Construction of Facilities [12.3] [17.4] PAYLOAD & UTILIZATION OPERATIONS 320.1 315.0 Spacelab 98.6 97.0 Tethered Reflight 7.4 3.8 Payload Processing and Support 36.3 30.3 Advanced Projects 12.2 12.2 Engineering and Technical Base 165.6 171.7 Figures in parenttheses are included in the budget line item directly above. FY 1995 FY 1996 SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS & TECHNOLOGY 5,943.6 6,006.9 SPACE SCIENCE 2,012.6 1,958.9 PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY 1,195.5 1,131.1 Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility 234.3 237.6 Global Geospace Science 40.0 5.4 Gravity Probe-B 50.0 51.5* Offsetting Reduction -51.5* Payload & Instrument Development 53.9 33.1 Explorer Development 120.4 129.2 Mission Operations & Data Analysis 432.4 428.6 Research & Analysis 75.4 90.4 ** SIRTF [15.0] Suborbital Program 67.2 106.7 ** SOFIA [48.7] Information Systems 26.1 25.9 Launch Services 95.8 74.2 PLANETARY EXPLORATION 817.1 827.8 Cassini 255.0 191.5 Mars Instruments 2.1 1.4 Mars Surveyor Program 59.4 108.5 Mars Global Surveyor [58.0] [58.2] ** Future Missions [1.4] [50.3] Discovery 129.7 103.8 Mars Pathfinder [77.5] [35.9] Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous [52.2] [31.3] ** Future Missions [36.6] ** New Millennium Spacecraft 10.5 30.0 Mission Operations & Data Analysis 117.2 127.8 Research & Analysis 108.4 109.1 Launch Services 134.8 155.7 * In October 1994, NASA requested that the National Academy of Sciences assemble a review panel to validate the technical feasibility and scientific merits of Gravity Probe-B relative to other science priorities within the NASA budget. Discussions are currently underway, with final results anticipated in mid-1995. In the event the panel recommends continuation of Gravity Probe-B, equivalent offsets within the NASA budget must be identified. **Items indicated are proposed new initiatives. Figures in parentheses are included in the budget line item directly above. FY 1995 FY 1996 LIFE & MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES & APPLICATIONS 483.1 504.0 Life Sciences 140.7 134.4 Microgravity Science Research 131.9 139.9 Construction of Facilities [3.0] Aerospace Medicine 7.0 7.0 Shuttle/Spacelab Payload Mission Management & Integration 113.0 85.4 Space Station Payload Facilities 90.5 137.3 MISSION TO PLANET EARTH 1,340.1 1,341.1 Earth Observing System (EOS) 591.1 591.1 EOS Data Information System 230.6 289.8 Earth Probes Development 81.6 36.9 Payload & Instrument Development 19.5 4.9 Earth Science 227.8 209.9 Operations, Data Retrieval & Storage 116.5 98.5 Global Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) 5.0 5.0 Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) 2.3 Construction of Facilities 17.0 17.0 Launch Services 48.7 88.0 SPACE ACCESS & TECHNOLOGY 642.4 705.6 Advanced Space Transportation 162.1 193.0 ** Reusable Launch Vehicle [128.5] [159.0] Spacecraft & Remote Sensing 144.3 177.5 Advanced Smallsat Technology 61.9 33.9 Space Processing 18.3 18.1 Flight Programs 49.1 76.0 Commercial Technology Programs 45.8 40.4 Small Business Innovation Research 123.9 129.1 Launch Services Mission Support 37.0 37.6 AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 882.0 917.3 Research & Technology Base 366.3 354.7 Systems Technology 493.7 557.2 High Performance Computing & Communications 76.1 75.2 Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation 46.2 48.1 High Speed Research 221.3 245.5 Advanced Subsonic Technology 125.8 188.4 Advanced Composite Technology 24.3 [Included Above] Construction of Facilities 22.0 5.4 **Items indicated are proposed new initiatives. Figures in parentheses are included in the budget line item directly above. FY 1995 FY 1996 MISSION COMMUNICATION SERVICES 481.2 461.3 Ground Network 273.4 268.8 Mission Control & Data Systems 175.8 162.2 Space Network Customer Services 32.0 30.3 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 102.2 118.7 Education Programs 56.3 61.4 Minority University Research & Education 45.9 57.3 MISSION SUPPORT 2,589.2 2,726.2 SAFETY, RELIABILITY & QUALITY ASSURANCE 38.7 37.6 SPACE COMMUNICATION SERVICES 226.5 319.4 Space Network 111.6 206.7 TDRS Replenishment [42.0] [195.8] Telecommunications 114.9 112.7 RESEARCH & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 2,189.0 2,202.8 CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES 135.0 166.4 INSPECTOR GENERAL 16.0 17.3 NATIONAL AERONAUTICAL FACILITIES 400.0 * --- * Legislation is being proposed to extend availability of these funds from July 15, 1995 until September 30, 1997. Figures in parentheses are included in the budget line item directly above. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION DISTRIBUTION OF WORKYEARS BY INSTALLATION FY 1996 BUDGET SUMMARY FY 1995 FY 1996 JOHNSON SPACE CENTER 3,214 3,209 SPACE STATION PROGRAM OFFICE 310 310 KENNEDY SPACE CENTER 2,367 2,367 MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER 3,300 3,300 STENNIS SPACE CENTER 208 208 AMES RESEARCH CENTER 1,678 1,677 DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER 460 460 LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER 2,788 2,784 LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER 2,487 2,487 GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER 3,810 3,806 HEADQUARTERS 1,711 1,664 FULL-TIME PERMANENT WORKYEARS 22,333 22,272 OTHER THAN FULL-TIME PERMANENT WORKYEARS 742 756 TOTAL FTE 23,075 23,028 INSPECTOR GENERAL 210 210 During 1995, each NASA installation is undergoing a workforce review including both civil servants and contractor support. It is anticipated that the preliminary conclusions from this review as well as the recently announced buyout will be reached by mid-1995. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES BY APPROPRIATION FY 1996 BUDGET SUMMARY (Millions of Dollars) FY 1995 FY 1996 HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT 32.5 32.2 SPACE STATION 20.2 14.8 Construction of Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (JSC) 20.2 14.8 SPACE SHUTTLE 12.3 17.4 Replace Chemical Analysis Facility (KSC) 7.5 Replace Space Shuttle Main Engine ProcessingFacility (KSC) 4.9 Modernize Firex System, Pads A and B (KSC) 4.8 5.0 Replace Components Refurbishment Laboratory (KSC) 7.5 SCIENCE, AERONAUTICS & TECHNOLOGY 39.0 25.4 MISSION TO PLANET EARTH 17.0 17.0 Construction of Earth Systems Science Building (GSFC) 17.0 17.0 LIFE SCIENCES AND MICROGRAVITY 3.0 Construction of Addition to Microgravity Development Lab (MSFC) 3.0 AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 22.0 5.4 Modernization of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel Complex (ARC) 22.0 5.4 FY 1995 FY 1996 MISSION SUPPORT 135.0 166.4 JOHNSON SPACE CENTER 4.3 5.3 Rehabilitate Utility Tunnel Structure & Systems 4.3 Rehabilitate Electrical Distribution System, White Sands Test Facility 1.1 Replace Main Substation Switchgear & Circuit Breakers 4.2 KENNEDY SPACE CENTER 1.5 1.8 Modernize Payloads Hazardous Servicing Facility HVAC System 1.5 Replace 15kV Load Breaker Switches 1.8 MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER 4.9 11.5 Modernize Metrology & Calibration Facility 4.9 Restoration of High Pressure Air Compressor System 4.7 Restoration of Information & Electronic Systems Lab 6.8 STENNIS SPACE CENTER 1.4 Restoration of Canal Lock 1.4 GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER 5.0 5.5 Restore Exterior/Interior Systems, Buildings 3, 13, & 14 5.0 Restoration & Modernization of Chilled Water Distribution System 3.0 Restoration of Primary Electrical Distribution System, Wallops Flight Facility 2.5 AMES RESEARCH CENTER 6.3 Restoration of Flight Systems Research Laboratory 6.3 DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER 8.0 Seismic Upgrade of Research, Development, & Test Bldg 8.0 LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER 9.0 Rehabilitation of Central Air Equipment Building 9.0 JET PROPULSION LABORATORY 4.3 4.8 Modernize Condenser Water Systems, Southern Sector 4.3 Replace Chillers, Various Buildings 4.8 FY 1995 FY 1996 REPAIR OF FACILITIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, NOT IN EXCESS OF $1,500,000 PER PROJECT 30.0 35.0 REHABILITATION & MODIFICATION OF FACILITIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS NOT IN EXCESS OF $1,500,000 PER PROJECT 30.0 35.0 MINOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEW FACILITIES & ADDITIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, NOT IN EXCESS OF $1,500,000 PER PROJECT 2.0 3.8 FACILITY PLANNING & DESIGN 10.0 10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE & RESTORATION 35.0 37.0 RELEASE TIME IS AT 2:00 PM, EST, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1995 OFFICE OF SPACE FLIGHT (Code M) Associate Administrator: J. Wayne Littles Public Affairs Contacts: Mark Hess, 202/358-1776 Ed Campion, 202/358-1780 The Human Space Flight program leads the United States in its quest to expand the human presence in space. The business of the Human Space Flight program is to provide safe, assured and economic transportation to and from space for people and payloads, and to develop and operate habitable space facilities, in order to enhance scientific knowledge, support technology development and enable commercial activity. The Human Space Flight appropriation provides funding for NASA's human space flight activities. This includes the on- orbit infrastructure (Space Station and Spacelab), transportation capability (Space Shuttle program, including operations, program support and safety and performance upgrades), and the U.S.-Russian Cooperative program which includes the flight activities associated with the cooperative research flights to the Russian Mir Space Station. Space Station $1.83 billion The Space Station is unique because it will provide the world with a permanent outpost in space. The schedule for the current design emphasizes an early permanent crew capability that provides an advanced research laboratory for use by international crews for extended durations. Therefore, very early into the program, the Space Station will provide enormous benefits to stimulate new technologies, enhance industrial competitiveness, further commercial space enterprises and add greatly to the storehouse of scientific knowledge. In March 1994, a Systems Design Review (SDR) was completed, which validated the current system design as meeting program requirements. The international Space Station is the culmination of the redesign work begun in 1993 to increase efficiency and effectiveness in response to lower projections for the Agency budget and growing emphasis on other programs, such as science and aeronautics. Human presence in space is one of NASA's missions, and the redesigned Space Station has met the President's goal to reduce the program cost while still providing significant research capabilities. An entirely new management approach has been implemented, in which a single contractor (Boeing) has been given total prime and integration responsibilities, with the previous prime contractors (McDonnell Douglas, Rocketdyne and Boeing Huntsville) serving as first-tier subcontractors to Boeing. This has produced clearer lines of authority and accountability. In addition, program management has relocated to a streamlined Space Station Program Office (SSPO) in Houston, structured around integrated product teams with responsibility for bringing the systems and elements into integrated launch packages. Project management organizations at the various centers have been eliminated. Efficiencies have been gained through these program management improvements, design changes, a simplified integration effort and the recent invitation to the Russians to enter into the international partnership. U.S/Russian Cooperative Program $129.2 million This program provides for: (1) the funding ($100 million) of the contract with the Russian Space Agency; and (2) the mission specific costs for provision of the Spacehab, Spacelab, and Shuttle flights to Mir. Significant U.S.-Russia cooperative effort milestones will be reached in FY 1996 when the second, third and fourth of seven joint Shuttle-Mir missions are conducted. The primary objectives of these flights are to rendezvous and dock with the Mir, perform on-orbit joint U.S.-Russian life sciences and microgravity investigations, resupply Mir logistics and provide crew exchange. The United States and the Russian federation have begun a joint cooperative space program to accomplish six major goals. First, the program will permit NASA to develop, maintain and enhance capabilities and operations to allow humans to live and work continuously in space. Second, by establishing a relationship with Russia as an international partner for the human exploration of space, the United States can reduce the cost of future U.S. space initiatives by applying Russian-developed technology. Third, by flying Shuttle missions to the Russian Mir, the United States can enhance its understanding of long-duration operations, along with life sciences and microgravity research benefits from long-duration experimentation. Fourth, early cooperation with the Russians will permit NASA to develop common systems and operating procedures that will increase the probability of success and mitigate risks in the design, assembly, and operation of the international Space Station in which Russia is a full partner. Fifth, by engaging Russia in constructive space work, the United States can advance its foreign policy initiatives. Finally, this relationship between the U.S. and Russian space agencies will advance both countries' national space programs as well as their respective national aerospace industries. Space Shuttle Program $3,231.8 million The FY 1996 budget for the Space Shuttle program provides for a program that will continue to improve safety margins, fly the established manifest, launch seven flights every year, provide a vehicle that must undergo significant modifications to operate with the international Space Station and continue to reduce cost. The budget structure of the Space Shuttle program consists of two major components: Space Shuttle Operations and Safety and Performance Upgrades. The funding request for Shuttle Operations in FY1996 is $2,390.0 million. This funding provides for the hardware and manpower required to support the launch of eight Shuttle flights and their associated payloads. This includes the requirements for the Orbiter, external tank, redesigned solid rocket booster and manpower and support services required for launch and landing and mission operations for each flight. The funding request for Safety and Performance Upgrades in FY1996 is $837 million. This budget provides for modifications and improvements to the flight elements and ground facilities, including expansion of safety and operating margins and enhancement of Space Shuttle capabilities as well as the replacement of obsolete systems. Payload and Utilization Operations $315.0 million Funding requested for Payload and Utilization Operations supports the payloads flying on the Shuttle and Spacelab, as well as advanced technology projects and Engineering Technical base support for the field centers supporting Human Space Flight activities. SHUTTLE FLIGHTS SCHEDULED FOR FY 1996 (October 1, 1995 - September 30, 1996) STS-74 (October 1995) - Space Shuttle Atlantis will make its second trip to the Russian Space Station Mir in October 1995, this time to install a permanent docking module that will simplify future Shuttle linkups to the Russian complex. After Atlantis is docked to Mir, the astronauts will conduct a variety of science experiments and will transfer water and other consumables to the Russian station. The Shuttle crew also will deliver two solar arrays that will be stowed on the side of the docking module. The arrays, which were built as a cooperative project using technology from both the U.S. and Russia, will be installed on the Russian station sometime after STS-74 concludes. STS-72 (November 1995) STS-72 mission objectives include retrieval of an octagonally-shaped science satellite carrying 14 experiments that is scheduled to be launched aboard a Japanese H-2 rocket in early 1995. The Space Flyer Unit (SFU) was developed jointly by NASDA, the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. In addition to the SFU retrieval, the crew will use the Shuttle's robot arm to deploy and retrieve another science satellite, the Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (SPARTAN). This multi-use spacecraft flies free of the Shuttle for several days, gathering astronomical data prior to its retrieval. Also during the flight, astronauts Chiao and Barry will conduct two spacewalks designed to evaluate and better understand assembly requirements and techniques for the International Space Station. STS-75 (February 1996) STS-75 will see the reflight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS), a joint project between NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). TSS originally was flown on the Space Shuttle STS-46 mission launched July 1992. TSS deployment was curtailed when mechanical interference in the deployer reel assembly prevented full deployment of the satellite. The TSS reflight will focus on science objectives not accomplished on the STS-46 mission. The TSS could place a satellite into the Earth atmospheric regions that are difficult to study. These regions lie above the range of high altitude balloon flights and below the altitude of free-flying science satellites. Also flying on the STS-75 mission will be the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) which will be making its third flight on the Shuttle. USMP-3 involves a series of missions designed to study the effects of microgravity on materials and fundamental sciences. USMP microgravity experiments are designed to be accomplished in the Space Shuttle payload bay. STS-76 (March 1996) STS-76 will be the third of seven currently scheduled Shuttle/Mir missions through 1997. The mission will see the transfer one of the six astronaut crewmembers for a four-month stay on the Russian space station. The 10-day STS-76 mission also will include life and materials sciences experimentation in the Spacehab mounted in Atlantis' payload bay. STS-77 (April 1996) The commercial development of space activities continue with Shuttle Mission STS-77 and the fourth flight of the commercially developed SPACEHAB payload. NASA's primary objective for leasing the SPACEHAB Space Research Laboratory is to support the agency's efforts of providing access to space to test, demonstrate or evaluate techniques or processes in a weightless environment, and thereby reduce operational risks to a level appropriate for commercial development. Also flying on the STS-77 mission are the Technology Experiments Advancing Mission in Space (TEAMS) payload consisting of a collection of experiments designed to enable or extend space flight technology and the Inflatable Antenna Experiment (IAE) payload which will validate the space based deployment of a large inflatable parabolic reflector antenna and characterize its mechanical performance. STS-78 (June 1996) Space Shuttle Columbia will carry the Life and Microgravity Sciences (LMS) Spacelab during Mission STS-78. The crew will conduct research through a series of experiments in a stable low-gravity environment, emphasizing Life Sciences and Microgravity Sciences. This mission will also accomplish the human science investigations previously approved for the Spacelab Life Sciences-3 mission which was cancelled. STS-79 (August 1996) Shuttle Mission STS-79, the fourth in the series of joint missions with the Space Shuttle and the Russian Space Station Mir. The fourth docking mission will drop off another astronaut and bring home the astronaut launched on STS-76. In addition to conducting experiments within the Spacehab pressurized module, the mission will feature a spacewalk to transfer several experiments from the Shuttle's payload bay to the docking module on the Mir station. The spacewalk also will be used to validate and demonstrate assembly techniques for the International Space Station. February 1995 OFFICE OF SPACE COMMUNICATIONS (CODE O) Associate Administrator: Charles T. Force Public Affairs Contact: Dwayne Brown, 202/358-1600 The FY 1996 budget request for NASA's Office of Space Communications (OSC) is $780.7 million. This funding is contained in two appropriations: Science, Aeronautics & Technology and Mission Support. Activities most directly related to support of NASA's science and aeronautics programs is contained in the Mission Communication Services program ($461.3 million) under Science, Aeronautics and Technology. Activities whose support encompasses all of NASA's strategic enterprises are contained in the Space Communication Services program ($319.4 million) under Mission Support. All Space Network major development activities are contained in Mission Support. Reliable electronic communications are essential to the success of every NASA flight mission, from interplanetary spacecraft to the Space Shuttle to aeronautical flight tests. NASA's OSC manages the provision of telecommunication services needed to ensure that the goals of NASA's exploration, science, and research and development programs are met; that they are met cost-effectively; and that mission operations and planning are performed in an integrated and standardized way. The OSC is committed to seeking and encouraging commercialization of NASA telecommunications capabilities and to participate with NASA's strategic enterprises in collaborative interagency, international, and commercial enterprises. As NASA's agent for operational communications and associated information handling services, the OSC seeks opportunities for using technology in pursuit of more cost-effective solutions, highly optimized designs of mission systems, and advancement of NASA's and the nation's best technological and commercial interests. The range of capabilities provided by NASA's Space Communications program is necessarily very broad. This function provides all of NASA's capability to track, command, and acquire data from NASA spacecraft. This function is performed through utilization of ground-based antennas and network systems; the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) of geosynchronous communications satellites and two ground stations in New Mexico; a telecommunications network needed to relay data among NASA mission control facilities; and the mission control and data processing facilities for NASA's currently operational Earth-orbiting robotics systems. The function also provides for the telecommunications network used for all NASA administrative and scientific exchanges. All NASA telecommunications scheduling, network management and engineering, flight system maneuver planning and analysis, and preflight communications interface verification is performed by this strategic function. Near-term demonstration and application of advanced communications and information systems technologies are conducted through the support of various sponsored labs and facilities. Some NASA missions have unique needs -- e.g., communicating with spacecraft having low-powered transceivers flying in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond or relaying very high rates of data from spacecraft anywhere over the roughly 785 million square miles of surface area of the Earth. Specialized systems such as the TDRSS and the Deep Space Network (DSN) are required. Other needs can be satisfied using alternate approaches, including smaller ground transceive systems and commercially-available systems and services. Key to NASA's future is our ability to take advantage of emerging communications technologies, especially the increasing levels of automation and standardization of systems and procedures that these technologies allow. Mission Communication Services $461.3 million NASA's FY 1996 request provides $268.8 million for the Ground Network Systems and Operations; $162.2 million for Mission Control, Data Processing and Flight Dynamic Services; and $30.3 million for the Space Network Control Center and other activities. While the focus of this program is on the support of NASA science and aeronautics programs, the breadth of NASA missions receive some form of support from this program. Planetary and interplanetary missions; near-Earth and Earth- orbiting spacecraft missions; and suborbital and aeronautical test flight systems are the primary beneficiaries of this program; support for NASA's Human Space Flight programs also is provided. Services include ground network tracking, command and data acquisition on an operational and emergency basis; orbit and attitude determination and maneuver analysis; data acquisition networks scheduling; and mission control and science data processing for select NASA missions. Data acquisition and management technologies; flight mission planning and preflight testing and simulation; and management and coordination of NASA's use of radio frequencies also is performed. NASA's DSN; Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network; Wallops Flight Facility; Western Aeronautical Test Range; Flight Dynamics Facility; Space Network Control Center, and selected mission control and data systems are contained in this program. These activities are in the process of being automated and modernized so that the burgeoning workload of NASA flight systems can be accommodated. Space Communications Services $319.4 million The FY 1996 budget request provides $206.7 million for the Space Network major development programs and operation of its White Sands Complex; and $112.7 million for Telecommunications Systems. NASA's Space Network provides high data rate, near-continuous coverage of Earth-orbiting spacecraft, including the Space Transportation System, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, and other spacecraft systems. The unique requirements of some suborbital missions for continuous tracking and communication services also are supported by this program. The Space Network performs as a complementary asset to NASA's other communications facilities and systems. Ground and space network systems and facilities coordinate their tracking, command, and data acquisition support of near-Earth NASA flight systems; flight dynamics and Space Network scheduling, planning and preflight verification testing services provided under the Mission Communication Services program are integral to the performance of Space Network systems. The seventh Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) is scheduled to be deployed in FY 1995; a constellation of four fully functional and two partially functional TDRS spacecraft will then be on orbit. The sixth TDRS was lost aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Complementing this constellation of on orbit systems is the new Danzante, or Second TDRS System Ground Terminal. This newly developed White Sands facility was recently transitioned to being the primary TDRS ground terminal. In March, following a period of stable Danzante operations, the existing White Sands Ground Terminal will be shut down and its refurbishment begun. In order to ensure a continuity of TDRS services into the middle part of the next decade, three additional TDRS spacecraft are being procured. For FY 1996, $195.8 million is being requested for continuation of development of the TDRS Replenishment Spacecraft. Funds to procure three launch vehicles also is included in this amount. Source evaluation has been underway since last summer, and contract award is imminent. This firm fixed-price contract will have provisions for spacecraft replacement and recovery of funds for loss of TDRS services. The three functionally similar Replenishment Spacecraft are being procured under a unique commercial practices arrangement. NASA's Telecommunications services for all of NASA's operational, research and analysis and administrative requirements also are included under the Space Communication Services program. An upcoming demonstration of advanced switching technology promises to allow the consolidation and improved efficiency of service of NASA telecommunications systems. February 1995 OFFICE OF SAFETY AND MISSION ASSURANCE (Code Q) Associate Administrator: Frederick D. Gregory OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER (Code AE) Acting Chief Engineer: Dr. Dan Mulville Public Affairs Contact: Dwayne Brown, 202/358-1600 The FY 1996 budget request for NASA's Safety, Reliability, Maintainability & Quality Assurance (SRM&QA) program is $37.6 million. The activities of NASA's Office of Safety and Mission Assurance and the Office of the Chief Engineer are funded under this program. These offices seek to ensure the safe and successful execution of NASA programs by providing oversight of NASA's flight and ground systems development and operations programs; by developing Agency-wide safety, reliability, maintainability, quality assurance and engineering policies, standards and practices; and providing for the identification and qualification of key technologies to improve the performance and reliability of NASA flight systems. The offices provide leadership in promoting and ensuring the safety, innovation, and quality of all NASA programs; and improving the practice of engineering in NASA programs. This work is performed in four programmatic areas. Policy, Oversight and Standards $17.6 million The FY 1996 budget request of $17.6 million supports the areas of safety, reliability, maintainability and quality assurance. Activities include studies and investigations to formulate NASA safety and mission assurance policy; and safety oversight and flight readiness assessments for all NASA programs, including the Space Shuttle and the international Space Station. Documentation and analysis of NASA experience in the SRM&QA disciplines, mishap investigations, NASA emergency preparedness, and range safety helps improve the safety and risk management practices of NASA programs. Guidance to the Agency's SRM&QA organizations for the conduct of self-assessments will be used to augment OSMA's oversight role and enhance the implementation of SRM&QA policies. Compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act is supported and monitored. NASA is also in the process of adopting the international standard for quality, ISO 9000, in concert with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Quality Management $8.1 million The FY 1996 budget request of $8.1 million supports the early introduction of tailored safety, reliability and quality requirements into space flight systems design and manufacture in the early stages of a program. This approach is expected to result in decreased life cycle costs in NASA programs by reducing or eliminating costly redesign of systems in the latter stages of development and test. The Quality Management program provides direct assurance support to NASA robotics, aeronautics, and expendable launch vehicle programs. Studies of optimized quality assurance surveillance for Space Transportation System processing also are performed. Studies are conducted of risk factors in specific flight programs; the effectiveness of qualification test methods; and non-destructive evaluation techniques. Improved qualification methods for electrical, electronic, and electromechanical (EEE) parts and qualification of advanced EEE parts and packaging technologies for use by NASA flight programs is supported. New focus will be given to qualification of parts manufacturing processes rather than the previous focus on auditing parts quality. Software Independent Verification and Validation $6.4 million The FY 1996 budget request of $6.4 million supports the management of NASA's IV&V facility located at Fairmont, West Virginia. This program supports the development of software assurance standards, practices, and technology for evaluation of flight systems, mission control, and science data processing systems software. This initiative is expected to result in enhanced performance and reliability of increasingly complex and critical software used throughout NASA facilities and systems. Engineering $5.5 million This program provides both oversight and improvement of NASA's technical ability to successfully execute its programs. The Office of Chief Engineer provides direct support to the NASA Administrator by conducting independent evaluation of the performance of NASA programs and other engineering issues. The office also coordinates the activities of NASA's Engineering Management Council. The office develops NASA engineering policies, standards and guidelines; promotes increased use of industry and international standards to enhance the interoperability of NASA and other aerospace systems; encourages cooperative endeavors; and seeks to improve NASA-industry exchanges. Efforts to improve engineering practices in areas such as systems engineering, software engineering, structural analysis, and test methods will facilitate continuous improvement of NASA capabilities. Validation of critical technologies, focusing on demonstration of potential program applications to improve system reliability and performance also is performed. As a part of their responsibilities, the two NASA Headquarter's offices also coordinate NASA activities with various external groups and agencies, including the International Standards Organization and the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel. February 1995 OFFICE OF AERONAUTICS (Code R) Associate Administrator: Dr. Wesley L. Harris Public Affairs Contact: Barbara E. Selby, 202/358-1983 The FY 1996 total budget request for the Office of Aeronautics is $917.3 million, which includes $5.4 million for Construction of Facilities (CofF). The NASA Aeronautics Research and Technology budget request for FY 1996 is $911.9 million. This includes $245.5 million for the High-Speed Research Program, $188.4 million for the Advanced Subsonic Technology Program, $75.2 million for High Performance Computing and Communications and $354.7 million for the research and technology base. High-Speed Research $245.5 million The High Speed Research Program, which is developing the technology necessary for a next-generation supersonic airliner, continues to be NASA's highest priority aeronautics effort. The FY 1996 budget request of $245.5 million will enable the program to achieve and advance beyond the planned Preliminary Concept Definition milestone. This major event will include the selection of preliminary engine and airframe materials, engine components and flight deck concepts for focused technology development. The FY 1996 budget also will continue funding for environmental research including atmospheric effects of aviation, community noise and sonic boom, to assure the technologies addressing economic viability also achieve environmental compatibility goals. Advanced Subsonic Technology $188.4 million The Advanced Subsonic Technology program's FY 1996 budget request of $188.4 million will focus on development, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. aeronautics industry, of high payoff technologies to enable a safe, highly productive global air transportation system, including a new generation of environmentally compatible, economical U.S. subsonic aircraft such as commercial transports, general aviation and civil tiltrotor. There are thirteen critical elements that, as an integrated program, provide a focused technology foundation to ensure U.S. leadership in aircraft manufacture, aviation system efficiency and safety, and protection of the environment. As a result of redirection within the ongoing NASA aeronautics program, the FY 1996 request includes funds for two new areas of research vital to the future health of the U.S. aviation industry and aviation infrastructure: air traffic management and affordable design and manufacturing. In air traffic management, NASA plays a pivotal role by leveraging its expertise in aircraft guidance and air traffic controls technology to develop and validate high risk elements of new air traffic architecture. In affordable design and manufacturing, NASA plans to study, in close collaboration with industry, generic "building block" technologies for affordable aircraft and engine design and manufacturing processes. The FY 1996 budget also contains funding to continue research in aircraft and engine noise reduction, terminal area productivity, aging aircraft, integrated wing design, propulsion systems, environmental assessment, short-haul aircraft (general aviation and civil tiltrotor), fly-by-light (fiber optic) and power-by-wire control systems and composites. High Performance Computing and Communications $75.2 million NASA's High Performance Computing and Communications program is part of the multi-agency effort to boost supercomputer speeds one thousand-fold to at least one trillion arithmetic operations per second -- one teraflops -- and communications capabilities one hundred-fold. The FY 1996 budget request for this program remains flat at $75.2 million. The FY 1996 request continues research on advanced computing tools for computational aerosciences, Earth and space sciences, and information infrastructure technology for the "information superhighway," including access to schools, libraries and museums. Efforts begun in FY 1995 in cost effective high performance computing for aerospace design will continue to be emphasized in FY 1996. A new focus for research in FY 1996 is the remote exploration and experimentation effort addressing Agency emphasis on reduced mission costs. Research and Technology Base $354.7 million Working closely with its customers, NASA's Research and Technology Base program has led the world in aeronautical breakthroughs and advanced aviation concepts, many of which are being used by industry today. The FY 1996 budget for the R&T base is $334.7 million. For FY 1996, hypersonic research has been reintegrated into the R&T Base program. The R&T base program emphasizes the development of knowledge- based technologies important to aeronautics customers, providing an essential foundation to respond to critical needs. The Supercritical Wing for the B-757 and B-767 aircraft; Winglets for the MD-11 and B-747-400; Active turbine cooling for the JT9D Engine and the B-747; Digital Fly-by-wire for the F-18A, F-16C/D; Stall, Spin & Crash- worthiness for General Aviation; and Wind Shear Detection for all transports are all concepts that originated in the R&T Base. The program develops tools for use in analysis and design processes in the technology areas of aerodynamics; propulsion and power; materials and structures; controls, guidance, and human factors; flight systems, and systems analysis. The R&T Base Program supports the capability to implement and conduct the research activities described above by providing a facilities infrastructure for our focused technology programs, and industrial development activities. The major aeronautical facilities and services are at the four aeronautical research centers -- Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Center, Langley Research Center and Lewis Research Center. The program encourages partnerships among industry, universities, and government agencies to take advantage of their cumulative strengths. Typically, work is performed through cooperative agreements with industry and other Government agencies facilitating rapid technology transfer. Construction of Facilities $5.4 million The FY 1996 Aeronautics Construction of Facilities request of $5.4 million represents the final phase of funding for modernization of the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel Complex at NASA's Ames Research Center. Planned improvements include upgrading, automating and replacing controls, improving airflow quality and repairing the pressure vessel shell. In addition, the $74 million appropriated in FY 1994 will fund a high level of activity in FY 1995 on studies of the two National Wind Tunnels now under consideration. Congress appropriated $400 million in FY 1995 for the initial construction phase, but attached a number of conditions. These conditions, if not met, would result in rescission of the funds on July 31, 1995. The Administration has requested Congress to extend the availability of the $400 million, with the proviso that none of these funds would be outlayed until October 1, 1996. These wind tunnels would provide greatly improved design evaluation and test capabilities in the transonic and subsonic speed regimes. February 1995 OFFICE OF SPACE SCIENCE (CODE S) Associate Administrator: Dr. Wesley T. Huntress, Jr. Public Affairs Contacts: Don Savage, 202/358-1727; Doug Isbell, 202/358-1753 In fiscal year 1996, NASA's Office of Space Science intends to build upon the momentum it gained during 1994 through a series of major discoveries regarding the nature of the solar system and the Universe. Many of these findings, such as those surrounding the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter, generated intense public interest and showcased the excitement of space science. The FY 1996 request of $1.959 billion (including launch services) represents a balanced effort that continues to pursue the fundamental scientific questions in astrophysics, planetary exploration, space physics and related research, while addressing the challenges that will define space science in the 21st Century. Of this amount, $1.057 billion is for physics and astronomy research, $672 million is for planetary exploration, and $230 million is for launch services. Highlights of the Space Science budget request include: New Millennium Spacecraft $30.0 million A proposed new program, New Millennium spacecraft is an aggressive flight technology demonstration effort that will precipitate a revolution in the design, development and operation of scientific spacecraft. With simultaneous objectives of increasing the capability of NASA spacecraft, their instruments and their flight rates, while significantly reducing their mass and lifecycle costs, this program is another step NASA is taking toward achieving science and technology goals. The FY 1996 budget requests $30 million to begin the development of New Millennium spacecraft through investments in potential breakthrough technologies such as microelectronics and micromechanical devices. The program's aim is to create a fleet of microspacecraft returning a continuous flow of information to Earth about the solar system and large-scale dynamic systems within it, and the possible existence of planets in neighboring solar systems. The first New Millennium technology demonstration flight test could occur as early as FY 1997, with missions launched at a rate of one or more every 12-24 months. Infrared astronomy: SOFIA and SIRTF Space and ground-based observatories have provided a wealth of information and scientific discoveries in almost every wavelength of the spectrum. The investigation of infrared wavelengths with high sensitivity and resolution has required development of better detection instruments. In FY 1996, the NASA budget request includes funding to open a new era in infrared astronomy and begin development of two complementary missions: the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) and the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). SIRTF's exquisite sensitivity and large detector arrays are designed to search for faint galaxies at the edge of the observable universe, while SOFIA will capitalize on its superior spatial resolution and spectroscopic sensitivity to study close galaxies, protostars and transient cosmic events. The two missions are described below. SOFIA $48.7 million SOFIA is an infrared airborne observatory designed to replace the aging Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), which has been in operation since 1974. SOFIA consists of a 2.5 meter telescope that will be carried by a specially modified, used Boeing 747 aircraft. SOFIA will be developed and operated in partnership with the German space agency, DARA. Initial operations for SOFIA will begin in late 2000. With spatial resolution and sensitivity far superior to KAO, SOFIA will enable significant advances in the study of star and planet formation, the makeup of the interstellar medium, galactic structure and evolution, and the Sun and the solar system. In addition, SOFIA will be the first NASA space science program with a significant educational outreach component built-in from the beginning. The program will build upon a very successful program of flying teachers on the KAO, by reaching out to Kindergarten - 12th grade teachers, as well as science museums and planetaria around the country. SIRTF $15.0 million The FY 1996 budget request includes a significant increase for mission studies of the SIRTF observatory, in anticipation of entering development in FY 1998. SIRTF is the last of the four Great Observatories and has been the highest priority new mission (as ranked by the National Academy of Sciences) in astrophysics for many years. Recent technological breakthroughs in infrared detector technology in the United States have excited scientists and enabled an improved, less costly mission design. The SIRTF mission, planned for launch in 2002, has been vastly simplified from its original design, resulting in a dramatic five-fold reduction in life- cycle costs. SIRTF also may include a collaboration with Japan to achieve a portion of its science objectives. Mars Surveyor $108.5 million NASA's new Mars exploration strategy reaches full development in FY 1996 under the Mars Surveyor program. It consists of an initial orbiter, Mars Global Surveyor, and a subsequent series of two small missions launched every two years. With these missions, the U.S. will be able to resume the detailed exploration of Mars begun by Viking in the late 1970s. The FY 1996 budget request for Mars Surveyor will support Mars Global Surveyor instrument testing and integration with the spacecraft, and final spacecraft assembly and testing. It also will support the start of development of a small orbiter and a lander to be launched in 1998, built by contractors due to be selected this spring. Mars Global Surveyor will carry five science instruments -- comprised largely of parts from the Mars Observer program -- aboard a small, industry-developed spacecraft that will aerobrake into its final Martian orbit using techniques refined by the Magellan mission to Venus. Scheduled for launch in November 1996, it will capture much of the data that would have been obtained by Mars Observer. Following Global Surveyor will be a series of small scientific and communications orbiters. A separate series of landers will make surface measurements of the Martian climate and soil composition. In the pursuit of answers to long-held questions about the possibilities of ancient free flowing water and life on Mars, the Mars Surveyor effort should provide clues about the long- term processes of atmospheric and geologic changes on Earth. Discovery Program $103.8 million Previously, NASA's Discovery program consisted of two Discovery missions initiated in FY 1994 and currently under development: Mars Pathfinder and the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR). The FY 1996 request augments the previous budget plan by $36.6 million and provides the new funding required to continue the Discovery program. Within the next several months, NASA intends to select one or more new Discovery missions for detailed study, followed by development starting in 1996. Twenty-eight formal proposals have been received and are currently under evaluation. Mars Pathfinder, scheduled for launch in December 1996 aboard a Delta II, is designed to demonstrate the technology, systems and mission elements involved in landing a series of small surface stations and rovers on Mars. The FY 1996 funding request of $35.9 million supports completion of instrument and subsystem deliveries, spacecraft integration and final spacecraft systems testing before launch. Following its February 1996 launch, NEAR will rendezvous with its main target, the near-Earth asteroid Eros, in early 1999. The spacecraft will orbit and study Eros for at least one year. The FY 1996 funding request of $31.3 million supports completion of final spacecraft systems testing and preparation for its launch aboard a Delta II launch vehicle. Explorer Program $129.2 million FY 1996, funding will continue development activities on the highly successful Explorer program. These include the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE), the Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WIRE), and the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). ACE, scheduled for a 1997 launch, will study the composition of the solar corona, interplanetary and interstellar media, and galactic matter. TRACE, scheduled for launch in late 1997, is a solar science mission that will observe the Sun to study the connection between its magnetic fields and the heating of the Sun's corona. WIRE, scheduled for launch in late 1998, will detect and study the evolution of starburst galaxies, ultraluminous galaxies and luminous protogalaxies, all at extreme distances from Earth. The Explorer program currently is being restructured, with the goal of reducing costs in order to enable funding for a class of medium explorers with a one-per-year flight rate. The FUSE mission, pending approval of a restructuring plan, will be the first of these missions. FUSE will conduct high resolution spectroscopy in the far ultraviolet region. During the summer of 1995, three Explorer spacecraft are expected to launch. These include the X-ray Timing Explorer (XTE), the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) small explorer, and the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) small explorer. XTE will provide a comprehensive record of the source of x-rays with varying intensity over time. FAST will provide high resolution data on the Earth's aurora. SWAS will provide discrete spectral data for study of the water, molecular oxygen, and carbon monoxide in dense interstellar clouds. Cassini $191.5 million Significant progress has been made toward preparing the Cassini mission for its scheduled launch to Saturn in October 1997, including the recent successful completion of Critical Design Reviews for its ground system and the majority of spacecraft subsystems. FY 1996 funding will support the completion of spacecraft subsystem and instrument integration and testing, and the initiation of system-level environmental testing. Saturn and its distinctive rings have been a source of fascination for Earth-bound astronomers for more than 300 years. Information relayed from the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft flybys has provided some insights into this unique planetary system, while raising many more intriguing questions. As a planetary orbiter, Cassini is designed to investigate in-depth why the gaseous outer planets have evolved so much differently than the rocky inner planets like Earth, and whether the Saturn's icy moons preserve a record of this formation. The mission's European Space Agency- provided Huygens probe will seek to determine whether the necessary building blocks for the chemical evolution of early life exist on Saturn's mysterious moon Titan. AXAF $237.6 million The Advanced X-ray Astrophysics program has made excellent progress over the past year. Grinding and polishing of all AXAF mirrors has been completed five months ahead of schedule and ten months before the need date, and the shape and smoothness of the mirrors exceeds required specifications. Schedule margin towards the 1998 launch has increased by two months. AXAF development will be about 2/3 complete by the end of FY 95, and about 80% complete by the end of FY 1996. During FY 1996, detailed design activities for the spacecraft should be completed, and fabrication of the flight structure will begin. The spacecraft Critical Design Review is scheduled for February 1996. AXAF will study the composition and nature of galaxies, stellar objects and interstellar phenomena as well as basic issues in theoretical physics. International Programs A number of on-going international and U.S development projects are funded in the FY 1996 request. These include the Japanese Astro-E mission; the Japanese and French High Energy Transient Experiment, a small satellite for study of gamma-ray burst phenomena; cooperative programs with Russia including the U.S. Stellar X-ray Polarimeter and Monitoring Experiment instruments to be flown on Russia's Spectrum X- Gamma mission; and U.S. cooperation on Europe's Infrared Space Observatory, X-ray Mirror Mission, and the Rosetta comet mission. The FY 1996 budget reflects the decision to proceed with U.S. participation in the Astro-E mission. On the Astro-E mission, NASA is providing the x-ray spectrometer and will contribute improved foil mirrors and an x-ray calorimeter previously planned for the canceled AXAF-S mission. Gravity Probe-B Mission $51.5 million The Relativity Mission proposes a major test of Einstein's general theory of relativity, which could have profound implications on science's understanding of the nature of the Universe. Due to agency budget constraints, continuation of this mission beyond FY 1995 is currently under review. An assessment of the technical feasibility and scientific merits of the Gravity Probe-B Mission relative to other science priorities within the NASA budget by the National Academy of Sciences will be completed in mid-1995. If the Academy recommends continuation of the Relativity Mission, equivalent offsets within the NASA budget must be identified to support the program in FY 1996 and beyond. Mission Operations and Data Analysis (MO&DA) $556.4 million MO&DA funds are used to support the prime missions of science spacecraft, ongoing analysis of selected mission data sets and support for future servicing requirements of the Hubble Space Telescope (see HST section below). For FY 1996, $556.4 million is requested. * In Planetary Exploration, operations for the Galileo spacecraft at Jupiter, NEAR during its cruise phase, and multimission support for other deep space missions will amount to $127.8 million. * In Physics and Astronomy, the requested funds of $428.6 million will support continuing operations and data analysis of the HST, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer, International Ultraviolet Explorer, XTE, SWAS, ROSAT, the Astro-D/ASCA mission, Pioneer 10, Voyagers 1 & 2, Wind, Polar, SOHO, Cluster, FAST, Ulysses, IMP-8, Geotail, SAMPEX and Yohkoh missions. In FY 1996 the complete set of missions in the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics program are expected to be operational with the launches in FY 1995 and FY 1996 of FAST, SOHO, Polar, and Cluster which join Geotail and Wind in orbit to study the Sun and its influences on the Earth's space environment. With a highly successful first servicing mission completed, followed by a year of unparalleled scientific discoveries, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is expected to continue to generate an ongoing stream of major discoveries, as well generating great public interest. The $226.2 million in MO&DA funds also will support planning and development of instruments and other critical components for future HST servicing missions. These components include the recently- selected Hubble Advanced Camera for Exploration to be installed on the third servicing mission in 1999, as well as the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Near Infrared Camera/Multi-Object Spectrometer, scheduled for installation during the 1997 servicing mission. February 1995 OFFICE OF LIFE AND MICROGRAVITY SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS (Code U) Associate Administrator: Harry Holloway, M.D. Public Affairs Contact: Michael Braukus, 202/358-1979 A total of $504 million is requested in the FY 1996 budget for the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications (OLMSA), including $134.4 million for Life Science Research, $139.9 million for Microgravity Science Research, $85.4 million for Shuttle/Spacelab mission management, $137.3 million for Space Station payload facilities, and $7 million for Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Health. Life and Biomedical Sciences OLMSA's Life and Biomedical Sciences program seeks to advance medical and biological knowledge and to develop technologies needed to protect the health of humans living and working in space. The program works to facilitate the transfer of the knowledge and technology it gains to improve our nation's competitiveness, education and quality of life on Earth. The life sciences program includes the ongoing Shuttle and Spacelab flight experiment programs; the cooperative research program with Russia, including the cooperative research aboard the Russian Mir Space Station; and the research program planned for the international Space Station. During FY 1996, NASA will launch the Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS) into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. This 16-day Spacelab mission will carry 21 science investigations: 15 in life sciences and six in microgravity sciences. NASA will launch its last scheduled Life Sciences spacelab in 1998, and OLMSA will begin supporting Neurolab's science investigators and developing their experiment hardware in FY 1996. Life sciences will apply FY 1996 resources to continue the U.S./Russia cooperative research program. The NASA/Mir investigations will enable the life sciences program to conduct research, develop new technologies, enhance capabilities for on-orbit environmental monitoring and expand basic knowledge of the effects of space walks on humans. Life sciences will continue to fund an expanding list of collaborative activities with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in FY 1996. Life sciences and NIH will continue to provide mutual support to a NASA-NIH specialized center of research and technology for research on the balance system at Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago. Other collaborative research and technology projects include neurological and behavioral sciences research; developmental physiology and human development research; cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematological systems research; and several cancer research projects, including work on advanced digital mammography techniques. The agencies also are examining similarities between the effects of space flight and the aging process. The life sciences small payloads program provides flight opportunities aboard the Space Shuttle or unmanned vehicles. In FY 1996, the program will finance 20 investigations including the NIH-Rodent 3 payload, which is a verification payload for Neurolab, and the Aquatic Research Facility, developed by the Canadian Space Agency. Microgravity Sciences and Applications OLMSA's microgravity sciences program works to develop a deeper understanding of important physical, chemical and biological processes by observing phenomena that are obscured by gravity in laboratories on Earth. The results derived from conducting experiments in the Space Shuttle, the Mir space station and the International Space Station will stimulate the imagination of the academic and industrial science community, enhance the nationŐs technological and industrial base and foster international cooperation. Microgravity sciences will expend FY 1996 funds to continue experiment payload development for use in the Space Shuttle middeck, Spacelab, and Shuttle cargo bay. Scheduled future missions include, the Life and Microgravity Spacelab (LMS) mission, the Microgravity Science Laboratory mission and the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP) series of missions. NASA plans to fly the LMS and USMP-3 missions during FY 1996. Microgravity science funds also support principal investigators and data analysis during and after a mission. Ground-based research and analysis will continue in FY 1996 in the areas of biotechnology, combustion sciences, fluid physics, material science and gravitational physics. The continued NASA/Mir research program will include funding to support launching U.S. science hardware to Mir and support of science operations for the Mir experiments. Microgravity sciences will use FY 1996 funding to develop experiments and support principal investigators, especially in the fields of combustion science and fluid physics, for the approaching operational phases of the International Space Station. The requested FY 1996 funding level includes the continuation of the NASA/NIH cooperative program in biotechnology using the NASA developed bioreactor. The microgravity program's cell culture technologies and protein crystal growth research will receive major emphasis for the next 5-6 years. Shuttle/Spacelab Mission Management and Integration The Mission Management and Integration program is responsible for mission planning, integration and successful execution of all NASA Spacelab, NASA/Mir and attached Shuttle payloads. Mission management activities in FY 1996 will continue with the launch of several Space Shuttle module missions including LMS, NASA/Mir 3, NASA/Mir 4 and USMP-3. Other mission planning efforts will support the final three flights of the NASA/Mir program, the MSL and the fourth flight of USMP. NASA will intensify Space Station planning and integration efforts as the first element launch date of space station approaches (12/97). Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Health This program provides for the health care and well-being of all NASA employees in their ground- and space-based work environments; and promotes applications of knowledge and technologies developed in the public and private sectors. In FY 1996 Aerospace Medicine will continue to develop and demonstrate an operational telemedicine system for medical consultations between U.S. and Russian sites. The program will provide operational medical support for NASA/Mir missions and the International Space Station. It will perform a comprehensive risk assessment and review of medical requirements in preparation for Space Station, and continue and/or initiate collaborative efforts with national and international agencies to apply NASA derived technology for health applications. Space Station Payload Facilities The International Space Station will be the world's premier laboratory facility for studying the role of gravity in biological, physical and chemical systems. OLMSA plans to use the Space Station as a science and technology research institute in space to advance fundamental scientific knowledge and to contribute new scientific discoveries for the benefit of the United States. OLMSA will manage its Space Station effort to accelerate the rate at which it develops beneficial applications. The program will deliver the capability to perform unique, long-duration, microgravity-dependent, space-based research in cell and developmental biology, plant biology, human physiology, biotechnology, fluid physics, combustion science, materials science and benchmark physics. OLMSA's life sciences Space Station payload facilities program will develop three important Space Station hardware facilities: the Human Research Facility (HRF), the Gravitational Biology Facility (GBF) and the Centrifuge Facility (CF). During FY 1996, the HRF project will continue the development of four racks of research hardware. The initial design of the first rack of GBF hardware will be completed and members of the science community will conduct tests to evaluate the science utility of the design. OLMSA will select a centrifuge contractor which will develop the centrifuge rotor, its habitat holding racks and the support rack. The CF project plans to complete preliminary design reviews in FY 1996. The microgravity sciences Space Station payload facilities program will develop three major facilities for the Space Station; the Biotechnology Facility (BTF), the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) and the Space Station Furnace Facility (SSFF). These facilities, coupled with investigator-class payloads, will support a wide array of research in biotechnology, combustion science, fluids science, materials science and gravitational physics. In FY 1996, the BTF experiment control computer will control cell and tissue culture experiments onboard the Mir space station. This Mir precursor flight will reduce risk in the design and development of full facility operations for Space Station. The BTF program will conduct its Critical Design Review near the end of FY 1996. The SSFF core will be fabricated after the critical design review in December 1996. Modifications to the U.S. Spacelab furnace will begin in early 1996 to allow it to be the first U.S. furnace module in the facility . In addition to the major facility-class payload facilities, NASA plans to fly smaller, less complex payloads on the International Space Station which will typically have more focused research objectives and shorter development time cycles. The Expedite the Processing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) rack project provides a means for accommodating these smaller payloads. The EXPRESS rack will enable a simple, streamlined analytical and physical integration process for small payloads by providing standard hardware and software interfaces. The project includes a precursor flight of an EXPRESS rack in FY 1997 on the MSL Spacelab mission. EXPRESS racks will be available to support initial payload operations in the U.S. Laboratory on the Space Station. February 1995 OFFICE OF SPACE ACCESS AND TECHNOLOGY (Code X) Associate Administrator: Dr. John E. Mansfield Public Affairs Contact: Jim Cast, 202/358-1779 The goal of the Office of Space Access and Technology is to pursue, in partnership with industry and government, new and innovative technologies that will meet the challenges and lower the costs of future space missions. The Space Access and Technology program stimulates the development of advanced space technologies which improves the international competitiveness of U.S. aerospace and non-aerospace industries. The ability of the U.S. to compete in the global market mandates that it develop new and innovative technologies that will dramatically lower the cost to develop, build and launch new spacecraft. The OSAT budget request of $705.6 million in FY 1996 supports these new technologies and brings us closer to meeting the overall goal. Highlights of the program are listed below. Advanced Space Transportation $193 million The goal of the Advanced Transportation program is to develop new technologies aimed at revolutionizing access to space. These new technologies are targeted at reducing launch costs dramatically over the next decade, increasing the safety and reliability of both current and next generation launch vehicles and increasing the reliability of spacecraft propulsion systems while reducing cost and weight. In accordance with the National Space Transportation Policy released in August 1994, NASA is taking the lead in developing the technology for the next generation reusable space transportation system. FY 1996 funding for the program provides for systems engineering and concept analysis ($4.7 million), ground-based technology development ($59.3 million), and a series of flight demonstrators ($95.0 million) -- the DC-XA, the X-34 Small Booster technology testbed and the X-33 Large-Scale Advanced Technology Demonstrator. Each part of this integrated program contributes to the process of validating key component technologies, proving that they can be integrated into a functional vehicle and demonstrating that they can be operated as required to make low-cost access to space a reality. Spacecraft and Remote Sensing $177.5 million The Spacecraft and Remote Sensing program has the primary goals of developing advanced spacecraft technology and systems concepts to reduce cost and increase performance of current and planned missions; to enable future missions; and to support the commercial development of space. The program also has the goal of establishing and maintaining technical expertise not only critical to the success of NASA missions, but also valuable to the success of other government initiatives. The Spacecraft and Remote Sensing program encompasses a range of technology, from far-term basic research to identify and exploit major new scientific and technical discoveries, through more near-term focused efforts aimed at specific user needs. Organizationally, the program is focused along three general thrusts emphasizing the development and delivery of technology products. The first thrust, Earth applications, focuses on scientific Earth observing systems technology to better understand global change and to develop commercial remote sensing as a viable new space industry. The second thrust is technology for space science missions including space physics, deep space observation and planetary exploration. The third technology thrust supports developments for Earth-orbiting platforms such as occupied space stations. All three efforts are supported by specific activities implemented through cross-cutting technology areas including power and propulsion, materials and structures, operations, robotics, sensors and instruments and electronics and avionics. In addition, NASA's efforts in the government-industry collaboration in automotive technologies, referred to as the Partnership for a Next Generation Vehicle (PNGV), are funded in this budget at $7.0 million. PNGV, established by the President and the "Big 3" U.S. automobile manufacturers in 1993, has the goals of: (1) advancing manufacturing technology to improve productivity; (2) developing technology to improve the emissions and economy of conventional automobiles (3-5 years); and, (3) designing and developing technology and production prototype vehicles to triple current fuel economy in a "Taurus/Lumina/Concorde"-like automobile within 10-years. NASA's role in the PNGV is primarily to develop advanced aerospace technology with direct application to the goals of the partnership. The agency also uses its systems experience to lead the PNGV systems analysis activity and guide overall investment in the most promising vehicle concepts and technologies. Advanced Smallsat Technology $33.9 million The major goals of the Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI) are to demonstrate how to reduce the cost and development time of space missions for science and commercial applications; to demonstrate new design and qualification methods for small spacecraft, including use of commercial and performance-based specifications and integration of small instrumentation technology into bus design; and to proactively promote commercial technology applications. NASA is capitalizing on recent U.S. industry developments in the early generations of lightweight satellite concepts and critical subsystem component technology. These developments have demonstrated the potential capability for small spacecraft design and methodology to greatly reduce the cost of civil and military space missions. At the present time, international competition to design and launch more advanced commercial spacecraft for remote sensing and communications is impacting market opportunities for current products of the U.S. space industry. This major national effort will exploit the "next generation" of miniaturization techniques for spacecraft components, advanced instrumentation and sensors in order to integrate them into U.S. advanced design concepts. By using highly integrated teams of industry, small business, academia and government technologists, SSTI will demonstrate on-orbit--in a fast-track timeframe--advanced technologies for future space systems and develop new ways of conducting business that are unfettered by government specifications and excessive oversight. As an example, NASA currently has contracts with TRW and CTA, Inc., for the design, development, production and launch of two advanced smallsats, named "Lewis" and "Clark", respectively. These innovative, cost-plus-incentive-fee contracts contain clauses which should mitigate any cost overruns. The integrated development team concept was emphasized in these contracts and resulted in a significantly larger percentage of small and disadvantaged business involvement. Space Processing $18.1 million The Space Processing program within Space Access and Technology has three major goals. The first is to foster the development of new products using the unique micro-gravity and vacuum attributes of space. The second is to increase U.S. business participation and investment in space-linked commercial goods and services in order to benefit the U.S. industries involved and the economy as a whole. The third is to provide the opportunity for students to engage with industry in space program activities. The Space Processing program is conducted in partnership with NASA's Life and Microgravity Science and Applications program, industry, universities, state governments and other federal agencies. Utilizing program bases at universities and NASA field centers provides excellent opportunities to seek numerous and varied industrial affiliations. The Space Processing program provides the required access to experimental facilities and offers frequent access to space utilizing the Space Shuttle middeck, SPACEHAB, Spacelab and Wake Shield facilities. Such access is prohibitively expensive for most single corporations or small businesses, and this barrier to entry has greatly retarded the commercial development of space-linked products. Through the cost- sharing partnerships among NASA, the universities and industry offered by the Space Processing program, private enterprises of all sizes are able to afford the research most important to the development of space-linked commercial products. Flight Programs $76 million The primary goal of the Flight Programs budget element is to support the development and launch of flight experiments that will validate advanced space technologies, promote the creation of new knowledge, expand learning opportunities for students and produce new jobs, products and industries. The primary goals of the In-Space Technology Experiments Program (IN-STEP) funded in the Flight Experiments budget element ($30.1 million) are: to reduce the cost and risk associated with future space missions; and to improve U.S. industry competitiveness by developing and operating the innovative flight experiments required to validate advanced technologies or investigate space environmental effects. A secondary goal of the IN-STEP is to support U.S. educational objectives through the use of the "fast-track" student experiment program. The goal of the Space Station Utilization program ($37.1 million) is to support the development and operation of space processing and technology research using space stations as long-duration orbital facilities. The long-duration space experiments created by the Space Station Utilization program will allow development of new products for both aerospace and non-aerospace applications, and for both commercial and government use. An additional goal for the Phase I Space Station experiments is to reduce risk for follow-on Phase II/III Station experiments. NASA's Commercial Middeck Augmentation Module contract ($8.1 million) with SPACEHAB, Inc., enables industry participation in the commercial development of space by providing additional Shuttle middeck-type accommodations. Commercial Technology Programs $40.4 million NASA's goal is to elevate the commercial technology mission to a fundamental NASA mission, as important as any in the agency, by reinventing the way that the agency imparts the benefits of its knowledge, capabilities and research efforts into the national economy and the way that NASA derives benefits from the technological strength of American industry. NASA is in the process of implementing a new way of doing business in the area of technology transfer. Changes in the national R&D investment guidelines have elevated the commercial technology mission to a fundamental NASA mission. NASA's Agenda for Change, approved by the Administrator in July 1994, is the agency's blueprint for achieving this mission. The Agenda for Change is organized into six sections, each reflecting an important aspect of this new way of doing business. The six sections are: Commercial Technology Policy; Commercial Technology Business Practices; Marketing NASA's Capabilities; Commercial Technology Metrics; Cultural Change Through Training and Education; and the Commercial Technology Electronic Network. Each section implements components of the national and agency policies in order to reinvent the way that NASA transfers technology to and from the national economy. Launch Vehicle Support $37.6 million Through the Launch Services Mission Support budget, the Launch Vehicles Office (LVO) aggregates NASA and NOAA and international cooperative mission requirements and establishes appropriate acquisition strategies for purchasing firm, fixed-price launch services from the U.S. industry to support the various mission requirements. The LVO also provides the required technical oversight of the commercial expendable launch vehicle (ELV) operator's delivery of service. The objective is to provide affordable, 100-percent successful delivery to space. Since the re-introduction of a national mixed fleet strategy in 1987, the LVO has delivered 100% successful launch services (24 ELV and 9 upper stages). Small Business Innovation Research Programs $129.1 million The goal of NASA's Small Business programs is to promote the widest possible award of NASA research contracts within the small business community and to facilitate commercialization of these research results by the small business community. Established by Congress, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program helps NASA develop innovative technologies by providing competitive research contracts to U.S.-owned small businesses. NASA typically receives 2,300 or more individual proposals each year. Proposals are evaluated by the NASA field centers for scientific and technical merit; key staff qualifications; soundness of work plan; and anticipated commercial benefits. NASA HQ program offices provide additional insight into commercial applications, program balance and critical agency requirements. Selections are made by NASA HQ based on these recommendations and other considerations. Typically, about 600 awards are made each year. The NASA Small Business Technology Transfer Pilot program (STTR) is a three-year program established in 1994. In STTR, small businesses and research institutions with technological and business expertise submit joint proposals to convert intellectual property resident in the research institution into products that meet a NASA need and have commercial potential. The STTR program, though modeled after the SBIR program, is a separate activity with separate funding and important differences in scope relative to SBIR. The STTR program is to stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation, including increasing commercialization of federal R&D. February 1995 MISSION TO PLANET EARTH (Code Y) Associate Administrator: Charles Kennel Public Affairs Contact: Brian Dunbar, 202/358-1547 The total Fiscal Year 1996 Budget Request for the Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) Office is $1.3411 billion. The overall goal of the Mission to Planet Earth is to understand the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. To preserve and improve the Earth's environment for future generations, governments around the world need policies based upon the strongest possible scientific understanding. The vantage point of space provides information about the Earth's land, atmosphere, ice, oceans, and life that is obtainable in no other way. In concert with the global research community, the MTPE is developing the understanding needed to support the complex environmental policy decisions that lie ahead and is establishing the foundation for long-term environmental monitoring and climate prediction. Earth Observing System $591.1 million The EOS program consists of a series of U.S. and international spacecraft, with the first launch--EOS-AM-1-- planned for 1998. The overall goal of the Earth Observing System (EOS) is to advance the understanding of the Earth's global environment by improving our knowledge of its components, the interactions between them, and how the Earth system is changing. EOS will study the atmosphere, oceans, ice, biosphere, land surface and solid Earth, particularly the flow of energy and the cycling of chemicals through the environment. EOS Data and Information System $289.8 million The EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) will produce the data and information products from the EOS, preserve them and all other MTPE observations and make all these data and information easily available to users ranging from the scientific communities to local governments and the education community. EOSDIS is critical to achieving the goals of Mission to Planet Earth by enabling the public to benefit fully from our increased understanding and observations of the environment. Earth Probes $36.9 million The Earth Probes program addresses specific, highly-focused mission requirements. It has the flexibility to take advantage of unique opportunities presented by international cooperative efforts or technical innovation, and to complement EOS by providing the ability to investigate processes that require special orbits or have unique requirements. The currently approved Earth Probes are three Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometers (TOMS), scheduled for launch in mid-1995 aboard a Pegasus launch vehicle, February 1996, aboard Japan's Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) and 2000 in a cooperative mission with the Russians; the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), also aboard ADEOS; and the U.S.-Japanese Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), scheduled for launch from Japan in 1997. Payload and Instrument Development $4.9 million Payloads and instrument development has two parts, atmospheric payloads and solid Earth payloads. The goals of the atmospheric payloads program are to provide information related to the chemical constituency and dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere, and to provide highly calibrated measurements against which other measurements, particularly satellite data, can be compared. The goal of the solid Earth payloads program is to demonstrate the technology and analytical techniques needed to make multi-frequency, multi- polarization active radar measurements of the Earth's surface (i.e., land, sea, and ice). Applied Research and Data Analysis $308.4 million The goal of Applied Research and Data Analysis is to advance our understanding of global climate and to provide the computer models and other tools necessary for understanding global climate change. The program is divided into two major components: Mission to Planet Earth Science (MTPE Science) and Operations, Data Retrieval and Storage. MTPE Science contributes unique interdisciplinary scientific understanding of the global environment and the effects human activities have on it. Operations, Data Retrieval and Storage consist of several independent activities responsible for spacecraft operations, the purchase and management of scientific data, and the provision of computing infrastructure. GLOBE $5.0 million NASA is participating in an interagency program involving NOAA, NSF and EPA. The GLOBAL OBSERVATIONS TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT (GLOBE) Initiative will link scientific discovery with the education process in the study of the Earth's global environment. The objective is to bring school children, teachers, and scientists together to: (1) enhance environmental awareness of individuals throughout the world; (2) contribute to scientific understanding of the Earth; and (3) help all students reach higher standards in science and mathematics. In April 1995, on Earth Day, the first major observing event will occur, involving approximately 200 schools worldwide. Launch Services $88.0 million This line item provides funding to NASA's Launch Vehicle Office to procure launch services for MTPE missions. FY 1996 funds will support continued preparations for the 1998 launches of Landsat 7 and the first EOS satellite. Construction of Facilities $17.0 million The MTPE budget request includes funds to continue construction of the Earth System Science Building at GSFC. February 1995 -end 1996 Budget Briefing Package-