FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2022
Coalition for Deep Space Exploration Statement on the President’s FY2023 NASA Budget Request
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration commends President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 NASA budget request of nearly $26 billion – $2B over the FY22 enacted budget, which is an 8% increase – as a good step forward for future American space exploration leadership, while assuring that other vital NASA missions including Science, STEM Education, Earth Science, and Space Technology development are not shortchanged.
This request seeks $7.5 billion for NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program. Artemis will take American astronauts beyond the Earth’s orbit for the first time since the Apollo program, landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon. This budget request includes funding for the Space Launch System, the Orion spacecraft, Exploration Ground Systems, and a second lunar Human Landing System. It also begins to define NASA’s needs for an Artemis base camp to explore the lunar surface and use the Moon as a proving ground to explore Mars. It’ll also fund the development and testing of technologies that are essential to allow humans to explore Mars safely in the 2040’s.
While making necessary investments in deep space exploration, the budget also supports extending the International Space Station to 2030 and invests in the development of commercial low Earth orbiting (LEO) space stations, which will support U.S. leadership in LEO after the ISS is retired. The budget request of nearly $8B for Science and $150M for STEM education also demonstrates NASA’s continued commitment to understanding our solar system and the universe, while using NASA’s exciting discoveries to inspire and educate the next generation of our nation’s scientists and engineers.
“NASA’s FY 2023 budget request – which increases its budget above inflation – is a great start in restoring NASA’s ability to do Deep Space Exploration,” said Coalition President and CEO Frank Slazer. “It serves as a good foundation for advocates of space exploration to use as they work with Congress to move the needle even further towards a more robust NASA program of lunar exploration, while preparing to move on to exploring Mars and out into the solar system.”
About the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration
The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration is a national organization of more than 50 space industry businesses and other stakeholders committed to assuring the United States remains a leader in space exploration, science, technology, and international cooperation. Based in Washington, D.C., the Coalition advocates in support of a long-term, sustainable direction for our nation’s space investments.
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MEDIA CONTACT
For more information or to schedule an interview with Coalition for Deep Space Exploration President and CEO Frank Slazer, please contact Maddie Auerbach at 202-471-4228 or madeline@keybridge.com.
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