Shuttle Atlantis departs for the International Space Station. Photo Credit/NASA
NASA’s budget outlook — along with that of most federal agencies — is in new flux.
And the search for clarity and consequences is not for the impatient.
On Monday, President Obama will unveil the administration’s proposed budget for 2012, the federal fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1.
However, the House Appropriations Committee, a vital part of the budget process, twice last week signaled its intent to cut and cut more quickly, including at the space agency.
Late Friday, the panel unveiled H. R. 1, a 359-page measure that would cut $100 billion in spending from March 4 through Sept. 30 — or the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year. Congress has been unable to agree on an over all 2011 budget, including NASA’s. The feds have been operating on a series of budget continuing resolutions, or CR’s, that limit this year’s spending to 2010 levels. The latest CR expires on March 4; and without another, federal agencies could face a shutdown.
Last Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee, called for a $74 billion reduction in 2011 spending across the government. Others in the Republican-led House immediately called for a deeper reduction.
On Friday, the Appropriations panel responded with a $100 billion reduction.
So, how is NASA affected?
In February 2010, the budget Obama proposed asked Congress for $19 billion in NASA spending for 2011. The measure grew controversial because it also cancelled the previous administration’s Constellation program, an initiative to return human explorers to the moon by 2020. The president countered with a new initiative to foster commercial space transportation companies capable to flying astronauts as well as cargo to the International Space Station and other orbital destinations. It also sought an extension of space station operations from 2016 to 2020.
While they could not agree on a 2011 budget for NASA, the Senate and House reached agreement on a 2010 Authorization bill. The authorization bill, signed by President Obama, calls on NASA to develop a heavy lift rocket and a multi-purpose crew capsule by the end of 2016. The new spacecraft would enable astronauts to pursue deep space missions as well as journey to the space station. The blue print also extends space station operations and invests in the development of commercial space taxis.
In the meantime, NASA spending is restricted to $18.724 billion, the 2010 top line. The same 2010 appropriations legislation prevents NASA from transitioning from Constellation to the new heavy lifter and crew capsule.
The House Appropriations Committee bill unveiled on Friday would cut NASA’s inactive 2011 budget of $19 billion by $578.7 million, or to $18.421 billion.
For NASA, the proposed appropriations floor is $303 million lower than the 2010 top line.
However, the latest appropriations measure includes language that gives NASA the flexibility it has been seeking to follow the 2010 authorization blue print, including the transition beyond Constellation.