Space Station Freedom Appropriations

The House Science, Space and Technology committee heard testimony on the Space Station Freedom program, and the effect of its cancellation on the U.S. and its allies working on parts of the program. The House Science committee authorized approximately $2 billion for the program, the full authorization request from the Bush administration, for fiscal year 1992 which was subsequently approved by the House of Representatives. However, the House Appropriations committee reduced the authorization for fiscal year 1992 for the program to approximately $100 million, effectively canceling the program. Witnesses testified on the economic effects of the cancellation on American researchers and workers, and the difficulties faced by researchers in other countries working on the space station project who may feel alienated by the instability of funding for the program. More than $1 billion has been pledged towards the space station program by other countries. Debate on the authorization for the Spa close