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The national Aeronautics an6 Space Administration's major manner program of the post-Apollo era is the development of a space transportation system (STS) based on a reusable space shuttle launch vehicle. Funded since FY71, the shuttle program is coming to fruition: the space shuttle successfully completed its series of four test flights on July 4, 1982. The first operational f1ig; fit was successfully completed in November 1982. The next shuttle flight has been delayed because of leaks in one of the orbiter's main engines. NASA hopes to be ready for launch on Apr. 4, 1963.

This issue brief discusses "killer satellites," the unofficial moniker for antisatellite (ASAT) missiles possessed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as U.S. efforts to develop ASAT systems and simultaneously limit their development and use.

The Reagan Administration announced its major crime Control proposals in 1981, shortly after the final report from the Attorney General's Task Force on Violent Crimes, and reiterated support for significant changes in Crime control legislation in 1983. Congressional initiatives and modifications of those proposals continue interest and controversy in crime control matters in the 98th Congress.

This issue brief presents a short background on the physical/chemical properties of dioxin, describes several existing sources of possible human exposure, and highlights what is currently known about its environmental impacts and human health effects. Congressional interest is intense at this time because of large numbers of Vietnam veterans' claims for benefits associated with use of herbicides in that war as well as because of certain incidents of potential significance to health involving disposal of wastes containing dioxin.