NASA FY96 Authorization bill

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Authorization of Appropriations

Subtitle A: Authorizations

Subtitle B: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Subtitle C: Limitations and Special Authority

Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1996 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Subtitle A: Authorizations - Authorizes appropriations for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for: (1) human space flight; (2) science, aeronautics, and technology, including facilities construction; (3) mission support; and (4) the Inspector General.

(Sec. 105) Limits the total FY 1996 authorization of appropriations.

(Sec. 106) Authorizes additional FY 1996 NASA appropriations for Mission to Planet Earth, subject to certain obligations and expenditure requirements.

Subtitle B: Restructuring the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Directs the Administrator of NASA to contract for an asset-based review of NASA. Prohibits closure of any NASA field centers prior to such review.

Subtitle C: Limitations and Special Authority - Sets forth funds uses, limitations, and special authorities, including limitations on transfers to Russia.

Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends Federal law to include reentry vehicles and related launch operations within the scope of commercial space launch activities.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes appropriations for the Office of Air and Space Commercialization.

(Sec. 203) Requires independent cost analysis of specified NASA projects.

(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Administrator to delay for up to five years unrestricted public disclosure of technical data developed by joint NASA-private sector research under specified conditions.

(Sec. 205) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish within the Office of Space Access and Technology a procurement demonstration program; and (2) coordinate a technology procurement initiative.

(Sec. 206) Requires the Administrator to determine, prior to new facility construction or lease, that no existing NASA or other Federal facility is appropriate for the intended use.

(Sec. 207) Directs NASA to purchase space science data from the private sector.

(Sec. 208) Directs the Administrator to: (1) transmit to the Congress a report on Mission to Planet Earth; and (2) request proposals for a single prime contractor for the space shuttle program.

(Sec. 211) Amends the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1993 to make the launch voucher demonstration program permanent.

(Sec. 212) Directs the Administrator to provide for the privatization of NASA microgravity parabolic flight operations.

(Sec. 213) Prohibits, with exceptions, NASA financial assistance to a person who received nonmerit-based Federal funding.

(Sec. 214) Prohibits the use of funds authorized by this Act for lobbying activities.

(Sec. 216) Amends the Unitary Wind Tunnel Plan Act of 1949 to include hypersonic activities.