Space Transportation System: Past, Present, Future

Congress has appropriated about $4.4 billion to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and $106 million to the Department of Defense through fiscal year 1977 for development of the Space Transportation System (STS), about one-third of estimated development and production cost. Congress must decide whether to approve a full-scale operational STS by authorizing the start of production of additional orbiters and construction of a second-line launch and landing facility.