WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration applauds the signing of the NASA Transition Authorization Act by President Trump at the White House today. The law, which is the first reauthorization of NASA programs since 2010, ensures continuity of purpose in NASA’s human and science exploration programs and updates current law to reflect the progress made towards our nation’s exploration program over the last seven years. The bill was the product of nearly two years of work by the House Science, Space and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
“The bipartisan NASA Transition Authorization Act, which was passed without objection by both the House and Senate and signed into law by President Trump today, represents our nation’s continued commitment to NASA’s deep space exploration program,” said Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, executive director of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration. “The unanimous bipartisan support for this reauthorization, along with the budget requested for NASA released by the White House last week, demonstrates the deep support throughout the Administration and Congress for our national space exploration program.”
“There is no better example of how Washington can work together – across party lines and Pennsylvania Avenue – than this legislation, and we’re grateful for the hard work by Congress and the President that led to today’s enactment of the NASA Transition Authorization Act,” said Dittmar.
The Coalition also notes the release of the President’s first budget request for NASA last week, for FY 2018, which provided strong funding levels for NASA’s human and science exploration programs. Based on the information that is publicly available now, the Coalition appreciates the President’s strong requested funding levels for exploration programs overall, especially for NASA’s Space Launch System, Orion and Exploration Ground Systems, as well as for planetary science missions, such as the Europa Clipper and Mars 2020, but notes concern about proposed cuts to planning for the Europa lander mission and the Office of Education. A more detailed budget with requested levels by program is anticipated for release later this spring, and the Coalition looks forward to reviewing it in greater detail at that time.