NASA Authorization Act of 1999

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SEC. 210. EXTERNAL TANK OPPORTUNITIES STUDY.

(a) Applications: the Administrator shall enter into appropriate arrangements for an independent study to identify, and evaluate the potential benefits and costs of, the broadest possible range of commercial and scientific applications which are enabled by the launch of Space Shuttle external tanks into Earth orbit and retention in space, including--

(1) the use of privately owned external tanks as a venue for commercial advertising on the ground, during ascent, and in Earth orbit, except that such study shall not consider advertising that while in orbit is observable from the ground with the unaided human eye;

(2) the use of external tanks to achieve scientific or technology demonstration missions in Earth orbit, on the Moon, or elsewhere in space; and

(3) the use of external tanks as low-cost infrastructure in Earth orbit or on the Moon, including as an augmentation to the International Space Station.
A final report on the results of such study shall be delivered to the Congress not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Such report shall include recommendations as to Government and industry-funded improvements to the external tank which would maximize its cost-effectiveness for the scientific and commercial applications identified.
(b) Required Improvements: The Administrator shall conduct an internal agency study, based on the conclusions of the study required by subsection (a), of what--

(1) improvements to the current Space Shuttle external tank; and

(2) other in-space transportation or infrastructure capability developments,
would be required for the safe and economical use of the Space Shuttle external tank for any or all of the applications identified by the study required by subsection (a), a report on which shall be delivered to Congress not later than 45 days after receipt of the final report required by subsection (a).
(c) Changes in Law or Policy: Upon receipt of the final report required by subsection (a), the Administrator shall solicit comment from industry on what, if any, changes in law or policy would be required to achieve the applications identified in that final report. Not later than 90 days after receipt of such final report, the Administrator shall transmit to the Congress the comments received along with the recommendations of the Administrator as to changes in law or policy that may be required for those purposes.