Recruitment and Selection of Astronaut Candidates: Direct final rule
[Federal Register: April 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 78)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 19947-19948]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap03-7]
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 1214
[Notice: (03-043)]
RIN 2700-AC56
Recruitment and Selection of Astronaut Candidates
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
———————————————————————–
SUMMARY: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is
amending its regulations setting forth its procedures for recruitment
and selection of astronaut candidates. NASA’s astronaut candidate
selection process was developed to select highly qualified individuals
to perform in mission specialist and pilot astronaut positions in human
space programs. The activities currently are conducted by the Astronaut
Selection Office at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). NASA proposes to
amend the rules to permit some of these recruitment and selection
activities to be performed by NASA organizational elements that are not
part of JSC. This change is necessary to conduct efficient and
effective recruitment of a new component of the Astronaut Program, the
Educator Astronauts.
DATES: This rule is effective July 22, 2003, without further action,
unless adverse comment is received by May 23, 2003. If adverse comment
is received, NASA will publish a timely withdrawal of the rule in the
Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to NASA Headquarters,
Code FPP, 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Irwin, NASA Headquarters, Code
FPP, 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20546; telephone (202) 358-1206.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This direct final rule amends the NASA
regulations governing the NASA Astronaut Candidate Recruitment and
Selection Program. NASA is amending its regulations to address the
addition of a new component of the Astronaut corps: Educator
Astronauts. The Educator Astronaut Program is designed to motivate U.S.
students and educators to recognize the value of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics; attract more people to the teaching,
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professions; enhance
the public’s understanding of the value of America’s educators; and
share the diverse people and opportunities that advance our Nation’s
achievements in science, technology, and exploration. NASA will recruit
educators to join NASA’s Astronaut Corps to perform educator as well as
mission specialist duties that will support NASA’s education outreach
program. Involvement of appropriate elements of the education community
is integral to conduct activities associated with the recruitment and
selection of Educator Astronauts. The current rule, assigning
responsibility to JSC for individual activities such as announcing
astronaut candidate opportunities, implementing the application
process, reviewing applications, establishing cutoff dates for
accepting applications, and appointing the rating panel, supports the
historical Astronaut Candidate Program but does not enable enhancements
to the program that necessarily require activities outside of JSC. The
Educator Astronaut positions, which will be integral to the Astronaut
Candidate Program, offer an education component, necessitating
involvement by NASA’s Office of Education at NASA Headquarters, in
activities leading to identification of candidates who meet the
educator requirements of the position. Accordingly, the rule is being
amended so that a specific NASA Center is not assigned responsibility
for conducting an activity that could be performed by, or in
conjunction with, another NASA Center or Headquarters.
[[Page 19948]]
Matters of Regulatory Procedure
Executive Order 12866 Determination
This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section
3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulation, Planning and Reviews, and
does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under
section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has
not reviewed it under that Order.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), NASA has
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities”
comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are
independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields,
and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), NASA certifies that this rule will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities because the rule affects the operations of NASA and its
employees. Accordingly, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required.
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct affect on State or local
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial
direct cost of compliance on them. NASA has analyzed this rule under
that Order and has determined that it does not have implications for
federalism.
Indian Tribal Governments
This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order
13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,
because it does not have a substantial direct affect on one or more
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities
between the Federal government and Indian tribes.
Taking of Private Property
This rule would not affect a taking of private property or
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Action and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards in section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effectiveness of
their discretionary regulatory actions. NASA has determined that the
rule will not result in expenditures of $100 million or more by State,
local, or tribal governments or by the private sector. The rule affects
only the internal organization of NASA. Accordingly, NASA has not
prepared a budgetary impact statement or specifically addressed
regulatory alternatives.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 1214
Government employees, Security measures, Space transportation and
exploration.
PART 1214–SPACE FLIGHT
0
14 CFR part 1214 is amended as follows:
0
1. The authority citation for part 1214 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: Section 203(c)(1), National Aeronautics and Space Act
of 1958, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2473(c)).
Subpart 1214.11–NASA Astronaut Candidate Recruitment and Selection
Program
Sec. 1214.1101 [Amended]
0
2. In Sec. 1214.1101, remove the words “by the Johnson Space Center
(JSC)” in paragraph (a), remove paragraph (c), and redesignate
paragraphs (d) and (e) as paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively.
Sec. 1214.1102 [Amended]
0
3. In Sec. 1214.1102, in the first sentence of paragraph (a), remove
the words “by the JSC Human Resources Office,” and in the second
sentence, remove the words “in writing;”
In paragraph (d) remove the words “by JSC.” and
Revise paragraphs (b) and (c) and the last sentence of paragraph
(d) to read as follows:
Sec. 1214.1102 Evaluation of applications.
* * * * *
(b) A rating panel composed of discipline experts will review and
rate qualified applicants as “Qualified” or “Highly Qualified.”
(c) Efforts will be made to ensure that minorities and females are
included among these discipline experts on the rating panel.
(d) * * * This evaluation process will be monitored to ensure
adherence to applicable policy, laws, and regulations.
* * * * *
Sec. 1214.1103 [Amended]
0
4. In Sec. 1214.1103, remove the last sentence of paragraph (b) and
revise the first sentence in paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 1214.1103 Application cutoff date.
* * * * *
(b) Once such approval has been obtained, a cutoff date for the
acceptance of applications will be established. * * *
Sec. 1214.1104 [Amended]
0
5. In Sec. 1214.1104, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:
Sec. 1214.1104 Evaluation and ranking of highly qualified candidates.
(a) A selection board consisting of discipline experts, and such
other persons as appropriate, will further evaluate and rank the
“Highly Qualified” applicants.
* * * * *
Dated: April 14, 2003.
Sean O’Keefe,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 03-10002 Filed 4-22-03; 8:45 am]
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