BACKGROUND: NASA is in the process of building an international space station, which was first proposed in 1984. The station, which could ultimately cost over $30 billion to construct, has survived several attempts to kill it in the 1990's. The station would allow astronauts to remain in space far longer than shuttle flights, and would be the site of extensive scientific research. The station would complete operations in 2012, at a potential total cost of over $70 billion.

STATUS: The House Committee on Science has reported HR 1601, the International Space Station Act of 1995, to the full House. On Sept. 26 the Senate defeated an amendment to the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development 1996 appropriations bill, 64-35. The amendment would have cut $1.8 billion of $2.1 billion the bill appropriates to the station program.

KEY PLAYERS: Rep. Robert Walker (R-PA), chairs the House Committee on Science and introduced the House bill. Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-AR) led the attempt to kill funding in the Senate. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), whose state is home to contractors who will profit handsomely, is a major proponent.

PRO: Space offers, literally, a universe of scientific exploration and experimentation that will pay back its investments through scientific and medical research and development of new technology. Also, it would be irrational to cancel the station now, after billions of dollars have been spent and untold resources allocated for its construction.

"Human space exploration is an adventure that affects us all in big and small ways. Space is and has always been an integral part of our science, our popular culture, and our science fiction." -- Rep. Robert Walker (R-PA)

CON: Of all things to invest billions of dollars in during an era of budget-deficits and spending cuts, a project with such vague and postponed benefits is impossible to justify. The space station is a shining example of how a huge pork project that brings tremendous profits to contractors (and jobs to the states and districts of members of Congress) can live through repeated attempts to kill it.

"Tell me what [space research] has done for cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, arthritis. Tell me what single advance made in the last 30 years came out of space." -- Sen. Dale Bumpers, (D-AR)

WHAT'S NEXT: The House must vote on its space station legislation, and then each chamber will bring its legislation to a House-Senate conference. The President spared space station spending in his proposed budget for NASA, and is unlikely to block it now.

INSIDE SCOOP: Big science projects are legendary for their pork-appeal, and have a way of mustering support in Congress at crunch time. This is one of those projects. The station has already survived five attempts to kill it since it's proposal during 1984, and if the project can make it through this frugal Republican Congress, it's hard to imagine what it can't endure.