This background paper examines several proposals for reducing the costs of spacecraft and other payloads and describes launch systems for implementing them. It is one of a series of products of a broad assessment of space transportation technologies undertaken by OTA at the request of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that assesses "scenarios of future growth in air transportation; alternative ways to increase airport and terminal area capacity; technological and economic alternatives to the ATC (air traffic control) system modifications proposed by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration); and alternatives to the present ATC process" (p. 3).

This background paper focuses on one technological option for increasing the supply of fresh water to the Southwest-that of building a freshwater subsea pipeline to transport water from Alaska to California. Originally a suggestion by Governor Walter Hickel of Alaska, the proposal has recently attracted attention in southern California.

This report examines several related areas: Were the manpower resources for Apollo available when they were needed? Did Apollo succeed in creating research capabilities that outlasted the program that created them? Finally, can we change Federal research missions better, based on the Apollo experience?

This report addresses five key questions; to what extent is superfund dependent on contractors? Why depend on contracting to such a great extent? Is the extent of superfund’s dependence on contracting appropriate? Does the extent of superfund’s dependence on contracting reduce environmental effectiveness? Is superfund’s heavy dependence on contracting cost effective?

This report begins with an explanation of why cost effectiveness studies are important, it continues with the basic economic paradigm for assessing cost-effectiveness.

A study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "addresses the question of local development and the opportunities for-and appropriateness of-various technologies that can help local people to take advantage of local resources in meeting the needs of their own communities" (p. iii).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that assesses the bloody policy and technologies, specifically recent developments in the fields.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "assesses the competitive position of the United States with respect to Japan and four European countries believed to be the major competitors in the commercial development of 'new biotechnology'" (p. iii).

This report provides an overview of the technology of composting which involves three major steps: 1) the preparation of the raw material, 2) the compost process itself, and 3) the grading of the final product.

This report discusses the role of computer in utilizing learning process.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that looks at the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and "identifies 14 basic issues or conflicts with which th [sic] implementation plan must cope in order to achieve its objectives" (Introduction).

This report is to provide the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) with an overview of some of the investment issues affecting the future of the electric power industry in support of OTA's ongoing study on competition in the industry. The paper is organized in three chapters.

This report, the first of two, was prepared in response to the requesting committees’ interest in receiving an interim product. It examines how energy is supplied and used in developing countries, and how energy use is linked with economic and social development and environmental quality.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) assessing "the potential of enhanced recovery techniques for freeing more of this oil [discovered oil] from the sandstone and limestone formations in which it is trapped" (Foreward).

This report discusses causes of the dementia, precipitating or aggravating factors, present and projected needs for people and programs to provide services to victims and their families, groups at high risk for these disorders, frequency of unrecognized or inadequately treated cases, and the costs of the disorders, public and private, economic and non-economic.

This report provides the Office of Technology Assessment with an overview of some of the investment issues affecting the future of the electric power industry in support of OTA's ongoing study on competition in the industry.

The report notes that America’s defense technology base has weathered significantly, with challenges to U.S. high-Technology firms from abroad, increasing dependence on foreign and civilian sources of technology for use in military systems, and growing technological sophistication of our adversaries.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "seeks to put in perspective the role and importance of aircraft technology in the total air cargo system" (p. iii).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) of advanced group rapid transit (AGRT) that looks at possibilities for "further advances in automated guideway transit (AGT) technology, and evaluates their potential impacts on various stakeholder groups" (p. iii).

This report reviews the mental health needs of Indian adolescents (those of American Indian and Alaska Native descent) and the services available to them. It summarizes the findings of the review, suggests options that Congress might consider, and provides an overview of other special health needs of adolescents (ages 10 to 18).

This report finds both competitive challenges and opportunities from environmental concerns and industrial competitiveness for two sets of American industries affected by environmental regulation: those in the business of making and selling environmental technologies, and the manufacturing firms that are among their major customers.

This report discusses the provision components, compassionate and cost-effective care to individuals with dementing illnesses, and their families.

This report discusses use an manpower issues related to file life-sustaining technologies widely used by elderly: dialysis, mechanical ventilation, resuscitation, antibiotics, and nutrition support.