![]() NASA’s STEM Outreach program, which supports grants for students around the country and educational materials for educators and the public, was funded at $127 million compared to the $0 requested by the Trump administration. Other missions that faced cancellation-Mars Odyssey, the SOFIA airborne observatory, and multiple Earth Science missions-were also funded by Congress and will continue. The mission is the highest-priority astrophysics project after the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. Half of this increase supported the Roman Space Telescope (née WFIRST), which was again targeted for cancellation by the Trump administration. As Administrator Bridenstine points out, that’s the first time in half a century that NASA has significant funds to develop a crewed lunar lander.Ĭongress provided nearly a billion dollars more than requested for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. Even Project Artemis, which was underfunded, is notable in that NASA has been granted continued funding for both a lunar space station and a human landing system on the Moon. Overall, I am generally pleased with the final budget. It restores key science missions and supports Artemis, just at a slower pace than envisioned. The budget continues an important trend of congressionally-led budget increases. Provided $23.271 billion for NASA, far less than requested, and underfunds human landing system development. ![]() NASA budget at $25.2 billion in order to support additional science priorities and maintain pace of Project Artemis. Language loosens prior restrictions, allows NASA to competitively select an alternative vehicle if the SLS is not available. Provide launch vehicle flexibility for the Europa Clipper $505 million for the project, compared to the $0 proposed by the White House. Restore funding to the Roman Space Telescope to keep it on track for a mid-2020s launch. Odyssey and Curiosity will continue operations. Provided an additional $11.5 million to “ensure ongoing operations of Mars mission architecture.” Prevent cuts to MSL Curiosity and Mars Odyssey's operating budgets by restoring $28.2 million to the Mars Exploration Program. While we are grateful for the supportive language for NEO Surveyor, the bill provides only about half of what was needed to keep the project on track for 2025. Calls for NASA to submit a FY 2022 budget that funds NEO Surveyor to launch in 2025. Increase the Planetary Defense Program budget by $46 million to accelerate the NEO Surveyor mission toward a 2025 launch date. Very positive start for the project, which will benefit from early funding to support advanced technology development and planning. $263 million for Mars Sample Return, $30 million above the requested level. Strong Phase A funding for Mars Sample Return But I wanted to look at the final budget in the context of The Planetary Society’s priorities for the year and note several trends I’ve noticed for science and human exploration. We have a full rundown of notable proposals and high-level outcomes in our FY 2021 NASA budget tracking page. It preserves funding for the Mars Curiosity and Odyssey missions, which both faced crippling cuts (or outright cancellation in Odyssey’s case) it continues development of the Roman Space Telescope and it calls for a 2025 launch of the NEO Surveyor mission, though it didn’t provide the necessary funding to ensure that timeline. ![]() The budget is responsive to a number of The Planetary Society’s advocacy goals for the year. government and providing financial relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s the main takeaway from NASA’s congressional 2021 budget, which was included within a massive, bipartisan piece of legislation funding the entire U.S. Congress saved major science missions and underfunded a 2024 lunar return.
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