THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996           TAG: 9609050388
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                        LENGTH:   55 lines

ATTEMPT TO CUT SPACE PROGRAM LOSES U.S. CAN'T AFFORD A SPACE STATION AND A BALANCED BUDGET, THE BILL'S SPONSORS SAY.

Senate supporters of the international space station and another joint space project with Russia turned back attempts Wednesday to kill funding for the two programs.

The Senate rejected, by 60-37, an amendment to eliminate all $2.1 billion allocated for the space station in fiscal year 1997. The funding was part of an $84.7 billion bill for veterans, housing and independent agencies programs.

Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., a persistent foe of the space station, said it was the fifth year he had proposed legislation to kill the project ``in an effort to stop what I consider is a disaster in the making.''

Bumpers argued that the 13-nation project to put a permanent manned station in orbit by early in the next decade will cost $100 billion through the life of the project, money that the United States can't afford as it tries to achieve fiscal integrity.

``If we had a $100 billion surplus I probably would vote for a space station,'' said Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., another opponent.

But supporters argued that the project, which NASA says will cost more than $17 billion in design and construction before it is completed in 2002, is crucial to the future development of space science.

``How ironic it is that at this time of this time of great space discoveries, like the possibility of life on Mars, that my colleague wants to eliminate one of NASA's greatest programs,'' said Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

The Senate also voted, 54-42, to reject an attempt to take away $15.5 million for a U.S.-Russian-French project to send rhesus monkeys into space aboard two Russian space flights. The project studies bone loss and effects of space travel on astronauts' muscles.

The Norfolk-based group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has been fighting the proposal for years.

Sending monkeys into space for 14 days when scientists already have data from extended space travel by humans ``is outrageous, there is no need for it,'' said Sen. Bob Smith, R-N.J.

The House, in a 244-171 vote last June, killed the funding for what is known as the Bion 11 and Bion 12 project. The issue will have to be worked out when the two chambers meet to work out differences in their bills. The Senate is trying to pass the bill by the end of this week. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

HOW THEY VOTED

A ``yes'' vote is a vote to reject an amendment to eliminate

funding for the space station.

John W. Warner, R-Va.No

Charles S. Robb, D-Va.Yes

Jesse A. Helms, R-N.C.No

Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C.No by CNB