WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration (Coalition) commends Congress for the passage of the FY 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill today, which heads to the President’s desk for enactment. The bill provides a topline increase of $368.3 million for NASA above the current funding levels, which is higher than both the House and Senate-proposed levels released for FY 2017 last year. The strong funding levels are a product of a commitment by the Senate and House leadership of the Commerce-Justice-Science Subcommittees, including Chairman Shelby (R-AL), Ranking Member Shaheen (D-NH), Chairman Culberson (RTX) and Ranking Member Serrano (D-NY), as well as former Sen. Milkulski (D-MD) and former Rep. Honda (D-CA) who served as Ranking Members of the subcommittee before their retirements from Congress earlier this year.
The bill provides critical funding to support preparation for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and development of Europa and Mars 2020 missions, and for continued work on new human exploration systems including NASA’s deep space rocket and spacecraft, SLS and Orion. The bill also supports the International Space Station, including cargo and crew transportation, to support research crucial to advancing our understanding of human health and well being in deep space. It also increases funding for the deep space habitat development program and advanced exploration propulsion systems.
“On behalf of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration, I commend the Congress for its commitment to America’s leadership in space through the resources provided in this bill. Even amid a challenging budget environment, Republicans and Democrats have worked across the aisle to continue support for upcoming exploration and science missions as well as ongoing research,” said Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar, the executive director of the Coalition.
“Companies in all 50 states are actively contributing to our national exploration and science programs, sparking innovation and manufacturing opportunities in communities across the country. Many of these supplier companies are members of the Coalition, and we see firsthand how these NASA development programs are creating manufacturing and engineering jobs.”
Although the spending bill is largely positive for key NASA exploration programs, the Coalition does note concern for the insufficient level provided for necessary Exploration Ground System upgrades at the Kennedy Space Center to support upcoming Exploration Missions. The Coalition encourages the Administration and Congress to address this as it implements the spending bill and in the FY 2018 Appropriations process.
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 70 space industry businesses and advocacy groups focused on ensuring the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology. Based in Washington D.C., the Coalition engages in outreach and education reinforcing the value and benefits of human space exploration and space science with the public and our nation’s leaders, building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable, strategic direction for our nation’s space program.
MEDIA CONTACT Lauren Quesada – Griffin Communications Group (832) 864-7224; Lauren@GriffinCG.com