NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION: OVERVIEW, FY2009 BUDGET, AND ISSUES FOR CONGRESS

摘要

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducts U.S. civilian space and aeronautics activities. For FY2009, the Bush Administration requested $17.6 14 billion for NASA, an increase of 1.8% from the FY2008 appropriation of $ 17.309 billion. The House Appropriations Committee recommended $ 17.769 billion. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $17.8 14 billion. The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-422) authorizes $20.2 10 billion. The Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (H.R. 1105 as passed by the House) would provide 17.782 billion. Pending enactment of an FY2009 appropriations act, NASA is operating at FY2008 funding levels under the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2009 (Division A of P.L. 110-329) as extended by H.J.Res. 38. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5) provided an additional $1.002 billion. The Vision for Space Exploration-returning humans to the Moon by 2020 and eventually going on to Mars-has been the major focus of NASA's activities since President Bush announced it in 2004. It is not yet clear whether or how the Obama Administration will seek to modify the Vision. Issues for Congress include the development of new vehicles for human spaceflight, plans for the transition to these vehicles after the space shuttle is retired in 2010, and the balance in NASA's priorities between human space exploration and the agency's activities in science and aeronautics.