Congressional hearings held on October 8-10, 1985, were meant to characterize the attributes of past successes of the United States' efforts in the space sciences, and to project the direction of future research in that area. This report prepared by the subcommittee on space science and application includes recommendations of expert panels on solar terrestrial science, earth and life sciences, planetary exploration, and astronomy and astrophysics. The major issues addressed in the document are: (1) scientific cooperation with the Soviet Union; (2) the need for a global view of the earth provided by space platforms; (3) the relationship among operational, research, and commercial programs; (4) the role of space science in education; (5) the adequacy of flight opportunities in the current space program; and (6) the future role of the space station in space science. (TW)