WASHINGTON (States News Service) - NASAs funding for FY 2000 will probably not include funding for Vice President Al Gore's pet-project, the Triana satellite, according to Rep. James Walsh (R-New York), the author of the funding cuts that appeared in the original House bill.

"Triana is a problem," Walsh said.

The satellite, derisively nicknamed the Gore-Sat by critics because it was inspired by a dream of Vice President Gore, would be launched in late 2000.

"Its a tough case to make," Walsh said. "The science isnt there."

The satellite would beam back a picture of the entire earth, available over the Internet and cable as an inspirational view. NASA has also added several scientific survey aspects to the mission, but critics such as House Science Committee Chairman Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin) have argued that these have no value and are just an attempt to silence criticism.