WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today unanimously approved a bill to reauthorize the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2008 is an original Commerce Committee bill.

 

The bill would provide a $19.2 billion baseline authorization of appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2009 to fund the various activities of the agency. The bill also would provide an additional $1 billion authorization of appropriations to accelerate the initial operational capability of a U.S.-owned human spacecraft and an additional $150 million for the development of a commercial crew vehicle. The total authorization of appropriations would be $20.35 billion.

 

“NASA has provided the United States a half century of scientific discoveries and innovations. The agency is at a critical point, and this bill provides guidance to keep NASA on the leading edge in this century’s space race,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii). “I would like to thank Senator Bill Nelson for his leadership on the Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences, for his dedication to space policy, and for the key role he played in drafting this important legislation.”

In addition to authorizing funds, the bill specifies the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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