U.S. President Barack Obama has proposed a funding boost for
NASA that provides more support for Earth sciences missions and aviation, while
keeping the agency's three space shuttles on target for a 2010 retirement.
NASA would receive $18.7 billion for the 2010 fiscal year
under the budget proposal released by the White House on Thursday. That would
be an increase from the $17.2 billion NASA received in 2008 and represents an
overall boost of more than $2.4 billion for the space agency when coupled with
the additional $1 billion it received in the recent
economic stimulus bill.
The budget calls on NASA to complete International Space
Station construction, as well as continue its Earth science missions and aviation
research. Yet it also remains fixed to former President George W. Bush's plan
to retire
the space shuttle fleet by 2010 and replace them with the new Orion Crew
Exploration Vehicle, which would fly astronauts to the space station and return
them to the moon by 2020.
The outline does make room for an extra shuttle flight
beyond the nine currently remaining on NASA's schedule, but only if it is
deemed safe and can be flown before the end of 2010.
"The
$18.7 billion budget proposal for 2010 is fiscally responsible and reflects the
administration's desire for a robust and innovative agency aligned with the president's
goals of advancing our nation's scientific, educational, economic and security
interests," said Acting NASA Administrator Chris Scolese in a statement. "This
budget ensures NASA maintains its global leadership in Earth and space
research, and it advances global climate change studies, funds a robust program
of human and robotic space exploration, allows us to realize the full potential
of the International Space Station, advances development of new space
transportation systems, and renews our commitment to aeronautics."
Here's a look at the highlights from President Obama's NASA
budget outline for the 2010 fiscal year:
- Provides $18.7 billion for NASA. Combined with the $1
billion provided to the agency in the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009, this represents a total increase of more than $2.4 billion
over the 2008 level.
- Funds a program of space-based research that supports NASA's
commitment to deploy a global climate change research and monitoring
system.
- Funds a robust program of space exploration involving
humans and robots. NASA will return
humans to the moon while also supporting a vigorous program of robotic
exploration of the solar system and universe.
- Funds the safe flight of the space shuttle through the
vehicle's retirement at the end of 2010. An additional flight will be
conducted if it can be completed safely before the end of 2010.
- Funds continued use of the International Space Station
to support the agency and other federal, commercial, and academic research
and technology testing needs.
- Funds aeronautics research to address aviation safety,
air traffic control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency.
While
President Obama's budget outline does set aside more funding for NASA, some
space exploration supporters were disappointed in its lack of scope.
"The
budget proposal for NASA represents a disappointingly small step in the right
direction. It is far from what is needed if the U.S. is to stimulate the
economy, create more high-tech jobs and hold on to its eroding leadership position
in space," said Elliot Pulham, CEO of the Space Foundation, in a written
statement. "The proposed budget is a stay-the-course budget, not a budget
for stimulus or change. Combined with the lingering absence of a NASA
administrator, we are missing a golden opportunity to lead and inspire at a
time when leadership and inspiration are crucial."
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