Start Date

4-1988 8:00 AM

Description

A ground rule in the development of the Shuttle was that expendable launch vehicles (ELV) would be phased out and eventually terminated and that the Shuttle would be the single transportation system for the nation. Subsequently, President Reagan announced a National Space Policy on July 4, 1982, which called for continuation of U.S. ELV activities until the Shuttle was fully operational.

Several private firms expressed interest in providing ELV services on a commercial basis. This interest resulted in the 1983 Commercialization of Expendable Launch Vehicles Policy which laid the foundation for a U.S. commercial ELV industry. This policy declared that the U.S. Government fully endorsed and would facilitate commercial operations of ELV's by the U.S. private sector in order to ensure a flexible and robust U.S. launch posture to maintain space transportation leadership. However, it also stated that the Shuttle would also be available to all authorized users.

A National Space Strategy was issued in 1984, implementing the National Policy on Commercial Use of Space. This policy identified the encouragement of commercial ELV's as one of the nation's high priority national space goals.

As a means of coordinating the development of commercial ELV operations, the 1984 Commercial Space Launch Act (Public Law 98-575) designated the Department of Transportation as the lead agency within the Federal Government for encouraging and facilitating commercial ELV activities by the U.S. private sector, as well as regulating those activities. This Act provides that the U.S. Government- will not subsidize the x commercial! zation of ELV's, but will price the use of its facilities, equipment, and services consistent with the goal of encouraging viable commercial ELV activities.

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Apr 1st, 8:00 AM

Development of A Commercial Expendable Launch Vehicle Industry

A ground rule in the development of the Shuttle was that expendable launch vehicles (ELV) would be phased out and eventually terminated and that the Shuttle would be the single transportation system for the nation. Subsequently, President Reagan announced a National Space Policy on July 4, 1982, which called for continuation of U.S. ELV activities until the Shuttle was fully operational.

Several private firms expressed interest in providing ELV services on a commercial basis. This interest resulted in the 1983 Commercialization of Expendable Launch Vehicles Policy which laid the foundation for a U.S. commercial ELV industry. This policy declared that the U.S. Government fully endorsed and would facilitate commercial operations of ELV's by the U.S. private sector in order to ensure a flexible and robust U.S. launch posture to maintain space transportation leadership. However, it also stated that the Shuttle would also be available to all authorized users.

A National Space Strategy was issued in 1984, implementing the National Policy on Commercial Use of Space. This policy identified the encouragement of commercial ELV's as one of the nation's high priority national space goals.

As a means of coordinating the development of commercial ELV operations, the 1984 Commercial Space Launch Act (Public Law 98-575) designated the Department of Transportation as the lead agency within the Federal Government for encouraging and facilitating commercial ELV activities by the U.S. private sector, as well as regulating those activities. This Act provides that the U.S. Government- will not subsidize the x commercial! zation of ELV's, but will price the use of its facilities, equipment, and services consistent with the goal of encouraging viable commercial ELV activities.

 

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