[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 173 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22674]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

14 CFR Part 1215

RIN 2700-AA29


Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS)

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NASA is revising Appendix A to reflect the estimated service 
rates in 1997 dollars for Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System 
(TDRSS) standard services, based on NASA escalation estimates. 14 CFR 
Part 1215 sets forth the policy governing the TDRSS services provided 
to non-U.S. Government users and the reimbursement for rendering such 
services. The TDRSS represents a major investment by the U.S. 
Government with the primary goal of providing improved communications 
and tracking services to spacecraft in low earth orbit or to mobile 
terrestrial users such as aircraft or balloons.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 5, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Network Operations Branch, Code 532, Goddard Space Flight 
Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger Flaherty, 301-286-8422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This regulation was first published in the 
Federal Register on March 9, 1983 (48 FR 9845). Each year since that 
time, 14 CFR Part 1215 has been amended by revising Appendix A to 
reflect the rate changes for the appropriate Calendar Years (CY). Since 
this revision of Appendix A to 14 CFR Part 1215 reflects the rate 
changes for CY 1997 and involves NASA management procedures and 
decisions, no public comment is required.
    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has determined 
that this rule is not subject to the requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, since it will not exert a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
and it is not a major rule as defined in Executive Order 12866.
    Due to the advent of commercial launch service customers, an 
addendum to Appendix A is required to reflect rates for service 
rendered under the Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA). Due to statutory 
requirements, the rates are slightly different for CSLA customers.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1215

    Satellites, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, 
Communications equipment, Government contract.

    For reasons set out in the Preamble, 14 CFR Part 1215 is amended as 
follows:

PART 1215--TRACKING AND DATA RELAY SATELLITE SYSTEM (TDRSS)

    1. The authority citation for 14 CFR Part 1215 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 203, Pub. L. 85-568, 72 Stat. 429, as amended, 
42 U.S.C. 2473; 49 U.S.C. 2601.

    2. Appendix A is revised to read as follows:

Appendix A--Estimated Service Rates in 1997 Dollars for TDRSS 
Standard Services (Based on NASA Escalation Estimate)

    TDRSS user service rates for services rendered in CY-97 based on 
current projections in 1997 dollars are as follows:
    1. Single Access Service--Forward command, return telemetry, or 
tracking, or any combination of these, the base rate is $184.00 per 
minute for non-U.S. Government users.
    2. Multiple Access Forward Service--Base rate is $42.00 per 
minute for non-U.S. Government users.
    3. Multiple Access Return Service--Base rate is $13.00 per 
minute for non-U.S. Government users.
    Due to the advent of commercial launch service customers, an 
addendum will be required to reflect rates for service rendered 
under the Commercial Space Launch Act (CSLA). Due to statutory 
requirements, the rates are slightly different for CSLA customers.
    CSLA customer rates:
    1. Single Access Service--Base rate is $180 per minute for CSLA 
users.
    2. Multiple Access Forward Service--Base rate is $39 per minute 
for CSLA users.
    3. Multiple Access Return Service--Base rate is $13 per minute 
for CSLA users.

    Dated: August 29, 1996.
David W. Harris,
Acting Associate Administrator for Space Communications.
[FR Doc. 96-22674 Filed 9-4-96; 8:45 am]
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