More than three months into the fiscal year, Congressional appropriators have finally released the FY 2014 omnibus budget. If approved, NASA would do very well given the constrained fiscal environment, with essentially a flat budget of $17.65 billion that is only marginally lower than the $17.7 billion requested by President Barack Obama.
Orion and the Space Launch System are fully funded at more than $3 billion, the commercial crew program gets nearly $700 million but far less than requested, and a provision prohibiting space cooperation with China would remain in place.
NASA Budget Overview
Exploration: $4,113,200,000
Exploration funding is broken down as follows:
- $1.9 billion for the Space Launch System, including $318.2 million for exploration ground systems;
- $1.19 billion for the Orion crew vehicle
- $696 million for the Commercial Crew Program, of which $171 million shall be made available after NASA Administrator Charles Bolden “has certified that the commercial crew program has undergone an independent benefit-cost analysis that takes into consideration the total Federal investment in the commercial crew program and the expected operational life of the International Space Station.”
- $302 million for exploration research and development.
The Obama Administration had requested $3.9 billion for Exploration in FY 2014, with Congress wanting to spend about $200 million more here than the President.
The Administration would have funded commercial crew at $821.4 million, so Congress is proposing a $125.4 million reduction in the request. The amount represents a compromise between the Senate, which proposed $775 million, and the House, which only wanted to put $500 million in the program.
So, where would the funding cut from Commercial Crew Program go? That’s an easy question: the Orion and Space Launch System. The Administration has proposed spending a combined $2.730 billion on these programs, well below the $3.1 billion in the Congressional spending plan.
The Administration also requested $364.2 billion for exploration R&D, which Congress would trim by $62.2 million.
Science: $5,151,200,000
Congress would spend slightly more on science than the $5 billion requested by the Obama Administration. The measure would fund the science budget as follows:
- $1.82 billion for Earth science
- $1.34 billion for planetary science
- $668 million for astrophysics
- $654 million for heliophysics
- $658.2 million for the James Web Space Telescope
- Total spending on the James Webb Space Telescope would be capped at $8 billion.
- NASA would spend $80 million for “pre-formulation and/or formulation activities for a mission that meets the science goals outlined for the Jupiter Europa.”
The main differences are a slight decrease in proposed Earth science spending (from $1.84 billion) and a modest increase in the planetary science budget (from $1.2 billion). Astrophysics was also boosted by $26 million from $642 million. Spending on the other budget items would remain essentially the same as the request.
Space Operations: $3,778,000,000
Space operations funding supports the International Space Station. The administration had requested $3.88 billion for these operations.
Space Technology: $576,000,000
The Obama Administration had requested $742.6 million for space technology development. Congress appears to have shifted over to the Exploration budget to fund Orion and the Space Launch System.
Aeronautics: $566,000,000
Congress’ aeronautics budget is in line with the Administration’s 565.7 million request.
Space Education: $116,600,000
Space education funding includes:
- $18,000,000 for the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
- $40,000,000 for the National Space Grant College.
The Administration had requested $94.2 million for space education. This would have been a sharp reduction from the approximately $137 million spent in FY 2013.
Cross-Agency Support: $2.790,000
Congress would slightly reduce the Administration’s $2.85 billion request for cross-agency support, which funds NASA’s day-to-day operations.
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration: $515,000,000
The Administration had requested $609.4 million in funding for this budget category.
Office of the Inspector General: $37,500,000
NASA’s watchdog would receive $500,000 more than requested by the Administration.
China Restriction
“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop, design, plan, promulgate, implement, or execute a bilateral policy, program, order, or contract of any kind to participate, collaborate, or coordinate bilaterally in any way with China or any Chinese-owned company unless such activities are specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.”