technology activities and developments and on the overall political environment at home and abroad.

Chairman Roe opened the meeting with a summary of the Committee's international science and technology oversight for the year, including its concern for successful negotiations on the International Space Station and for an adequate and appropriate level of international participation in the Superconducting Super Collider. The Committee also conducted an oversight review of science and technology in South America, with an eye toward pursuing legislative options to strengthen our science and technology relationships there, and a review of European science and technology with the goal of planning ahead for the "European unification" in 1992, which may yield a new group of large-scale science projects.

The Department of State reviewed its activities in international science and technology in the past year, including: new personnel programs designed to enhance the Department's worldwide coverage of science and technology issues; efforts to improve technical information-gathering overseas; and efforts to incorporate intellectual property protection provisions into cooperative agreements.

The science attaches from selected countries (Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China) continued by discussing science and technology highlights in these countries. The discussion included a report on the status of negotiations for a U.S./ China umbrella science and technology agreement and a separate space agreement with that country, and the role of technology and competitiveness in the relationship between the U.S. and Korea.

The Committee presented the science attaches with Committee Resolution 100-1 to commend them and acknowledge the importance of their work to the Congress. Chairman Roe introduced H. Con. Res. 369, which was similar to the Committee Resolution 1001, on September 22, 1988. It was referred to and reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, on the same day. The House agreed to the resolution on September 26, 1988, and the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 369 on October 19, 1988.

3.1(d)-U.S.-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Meeting

On June 15-16, 1987, the Fifth Inter-Parliamentary Meeting was held between Members of the Science Committee and apposite Members of the Japanese Diet. The meetings have been held on a more or less annual basis since 1981. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views and proposals on activities that could enhance U.S.-Japan Science and Technology cooperation.

Both sides emphasized the importance of pursuing a vigorous program of science and technology cooperation despite the current trade friction. The Japanese indicated that a new science policy had recently been developed by the Japanese Government which is intended to enhance basic research efforts and increase funding support, to increase contributions to international efforts, particularly in developing countries, and to increase translation of Japanese articles into English for publication in international journals. Five agenda topics were discussed:

1. Life Sciences, including AIDS, biotechnology, and gene mapping;

2. Space Station and the National Aerospaceplane;

3. Earth Sciences, including Global Change, earthquake research and the El Nino;

4. R&D cooperation in high technology areas, including _superconductivity and the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC);

and

5. University Research, including access to Japanese facilities.

Progress was made in each of the discussion topics, with specific follow-on activities (e.g., international meetings, joint research efforts, agreement for further joint study) identified. At the conclusion of the meetings, the two Committees issued a joint press release summarizing the results of the discussions.

3.1(e)-The Flight of the Voyager

On February 3, 1987, the Committee conducted a hearing to pay tribute to and hear firsthand the experience of the Voyager crew, Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan. They had flown a non-stop, unrefueled, record breaking, around-the-world flight in a handbuilt, twin-engine, graphite composite and honeycomb structure with a slim 100.8-ft. high-aspect-ratio wing, aircraft. The nine-day flight was another epic chapter in World aviation history. Joining the Voyager crew for the hearing was Major General Leigh Wade, one of the three pilots who completed the U.S. Army's first around-theWorld flight. Committee Publication Number 100-2.

Background

3.1(f)—International Technology Transfer

In January, 1987, findings by a National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Panel report on the "Impact of National Security Controls on International Technology Transfer" was leaked to the press, in advance of the release of the panel's final report, requiring an immediate Congressional review. The report cited a policy of overcontrol of high technology exports as exacerbating the trade deficit and threatening economic vitality. Specifically, the report asserted that too many items were being controlled, license application intervals were protracted, allied relations suffered and too many license denials were experienced by industry.

Summary of Hearings

Two hearings were held to review the report's findings. On February 4, 1987, General Lew Allen, chairman of the NAS panel, testified that multilateral control mechanisms such as CoCom must be strengthened. With the intent to enhance the manageability of the export control system, he recommended the U.S. reduce the number of items controlled and other licensing burdens such as reexport authorizations within CoCom. Finally, more efficient interagency conflict resolution was identified as a necessary administrative initiative to minimize license application intervals, especially in cases of foreign availability.

On April 23, 1987, Mr. Richard Perle, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, testified that he believed

U.S. industry was most concerned with the time it takes to acquire a license. He recommended that items which are no longer strategic be removed from the control list; however, he warned against removal by means of arbitrarily-determined legislative thresholds. He further stated that licensing intervals could be substantially reduced by the addition of greater automation and technical support at the Department of Commerce. He, too, felt that CoCom should be strengthened and recommended that Congress provide leverage for the U.S. in dealing with non-U.S. CoCom companies which fail to maintain the intent of CoCom controls. Finally, mechanisms facilitating international scientific cooperation were identified as areas requiring further attention, coincident with the advent of U.S. big science initiatives. Committee Publication Number 100-12. 3.1(g)-NASA's Response to the Committee's Investigation of the

Challenger Accident

In the 99th Congress, following the space shuttle "Challenger" accident which occurred on January 28, 1986, the Committee, under the direction of the Committee's present Chairman Robert A. Roe, conducted an extensive investigation of the accident in accordance with its oversight responsibilities. The investigation culminated in a report, "Investigation of the Challenger Accident" (H. Rept. 99-1016), wherein the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was requested to respond to the Committee's findings and recommendations.

Since that time NASA has undertaken a large number of activities which are designed to strengthen the agency and to ensure that the Space Shuttle program and NASA are on a comprehensive course that will provide a return to safe flight. In its response of February 15, 1987, to the Committee report, the NASA stated: “A large amount of work is involved in implementing the specific Recommendations of the Committee and of the Rogers Commission. NASA agrees with, and is implementing, each of the Committee Recommendations."

On February 26, 1987, the Committee convened to receive. NASA's responses to the Committee's investigation of the "Challenger" accident. Dr. James C. Fletcher, Administrator, as the lead witness, summarized the agency's efforts: (1) initiation of a System Design Review of all program flight hardware, software, and ground support equipment, to establish those items requiring redesign, analysis, or testing prior to first flight; (2) teams were formed for solid rocket booster redesign; (3) evaluation of failure modes and effects analysis/critical items list; (4) landing safety; (5) launch and launch aborts; (6) crew escape mechanisms; (7) flight rate and maintenance safeguards; (8) and actions were taken to strengthen NASA management and communications and the safety, reliability, and quality assurance program. Testifying with Dr. Fletcher were: Mr. Dale Myers, Deputy Administrator, Admiral Richard Truly, Associate Administrator, Office of Space Flight, Mr. Arnold D. Aldrich, Director, Space Shuttle Program, and Mr. Thomas Utsman, Member, NASA Task Team.

The Committee is committed to and actively continuing its oversight of NASA's progress in maintaining a robust Space Shuttle

Program dedicated to operating safely and reliably. Committee Publication Number 100-7.

Background

3.1(h)-Superconductivity

Recent discoveries of new, high temperature, superconducting materials open the way to potentially revolutionary changes in communication, transportation and energy use. The new materials, complex ceramics of copper and rare-earth oxides, exhibit superconductivity at temperatures well above that of liquid nitrogen, a plentiful and inexpensive coolant. Expectations are that even higher temperatures are likely. News of the new material has generated renewed efforts in Japan, China, Europe and elsewhere, to understand and apply the new materials.

Summary of Hearings

On June 10, 1987, the Committee on Science, Space and Technology conducted a hearing to focus on the current status of the new superconductors and their application to a wide range of technologies, including supercomputers, energy generation and transmission, and advanced magnet design for basic research and potential transportation and medical use. In addition, the hearing explored the Federal Government's efforts to incorporate the discovery of these new materials into current and future programs, particularly as they may effect economic competitiveness.

A number of key points or conclusions emerged from the hearing: (1) In order to take advantage of the new superconducting materials, a close collaboration between industry and government must exist or be created. (2) Creation of new institutions is not necessary; the need is to bring together in some creative fashion those that now exist. "Coordination" is key. (3) There is a need to establish clear priorities and goals in specific areas of application. (4) Federal efforts need to focus on manufacturing and process engineering and science while maintaining strong efforts in the fundamental understanding of these materials. (5) Funding for basic R&D seems healthy, at least for the moment; on the other hand, funding support for applications needs additional consideration. (6) Estimated costs of a national, federal program plan were between $500 million to $750 million over a five-year period. Committee Publication Number 100-69.

3.1(i)—The University Research Facilities Revitalization Act of 1987 (H.R. 1905)

To assist in revitalizing the Nation's academic research programs by authorizing a ten-year matching grant program in the National Science Foundation for the repair, renovation, or replacement of laboratories and other research facilities at universities and colleges.

Background

Leaders in academia, government, and industry believe we must modernize our academic laboratories and research facilities, where

much of the pioneering work of American science is performed. The current state of disrepair diminishes the ability of academic scientists to conduct research and limits student education. Both of these factors reduce our nation's competitive strength in the world marketplace.

Summary of the Hearing

The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on the issue of academic research facilities and H.R. 1905 on June 25, 1987. The purpose of the hearing was to explore various funding mechanisms for modernizing academic reearch facilities. The Committee asked witnesses to provide an assessment of the funding approach embodied in H.R. 1905. The witnesses included a wide variety of institutions and researchers: Mr. Erich Bloch, Director of the National Science Foundation; Dr. John Silber, President of Boston University; Father Frank Haig, President of LeMoyne College; Dr. Stephen Muller, President of Johns Hopkins University; Dr. M. Richard Rose, President of Rochester Institute of Technology; Dr. Herman Blake, President of Tougaloo College; Dr. Luther Williams, President of Atlanta University; Sister Jean O'Laughlin, President of Barry University; Dr. Barry Bloom, President of the Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology; Dr. Sheila Widnall, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; Dr. Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of the President's Council of Michigan Colleges and Universities; Dr. David Goodman, Deputy Director of the New Jersey Commission on Sicence and Technology; Dr. Thomas Nicholson, Director of the American Museum of Natural History; Mr. John Pratt, President-Elect of the Association of Independent Research Institutes; and Dr. Joesph Saloom, Chairman of the Council on Research and Technology. In addition, several statements were submitted by other interested parties. This hearing continued the Committee's legislative activities on academic research facilities which was successfully legislated during the 100th Congress (See P.L. 100-418, Sec. 1.9, and P.L. 100-570, Sec. 1.13). Committee Publication Number 100-55.

3.1(j)-Review of the Results of the 1987 Antarctic Expedition To Study Ozone Depletion

Background

A hearing was held by the Committee on October 29, 1987, on the Results of the Antarctic Ozone Expedition. It had been observed from ground observations and satellite data that a systematic reduction in stratospheric ozone was occurring over the Antarctic during the Southern Hemisphere Spring season. These observations may provide significant insight into the chemical and dynamic processes that control stratospheric ozone. This may also suggest the potency of man-made chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons in depleting the natural protective ozone layers.

The following witnesses testified at the hearing: Ambassador John D. Negroponte, Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientic Affairs, Department of State; Mr. A. James Barnes, Deputy Administrator, Environmental Pro