NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Exploring the Solar System with Human and Robotic Spacecraft

• Designs new human spaceflight vehicles. New vehicles will extend human presence to the Moon and beyond.

  • $1 billion for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, a new piloted spacecraft that will allow astronauts to land anywhere on the Moon, support a lunar outpost, and eventually support human expeditions to Mars.

  • $1 billion for the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle, a new rocket that will launch Orion.

• Launches robotic spacecraft. Robotic spacecraft will further explore the solar system.

  • $105 million to conduct a program of small lunar robotic missions and research.

  • $1.3 billion to explore Mars and other destinations in the solar system.

Operating, Assembling, and Servicing the International Space Station

• Operates the International Space Station. $2.1 billion for this multi-national, Earth-orbiting research facility that enables future exploration activities and meets the Nation’s commitments to our international partners.

• Continues to assemble the International Space Station. $3 billion to fly the Space Shuttle to complete the International Space Station, while keeping the Shuttle on the path to retirement by 2010.

• Develops new commercial services. $173 million for successful demonstrations of private-sector services to transport cargo to the International Space Station, and $2.6 billion over five years to purchase transportation services to the Station.

Expanding Frontiers of Knowledge in Aeronautics and Earth and Space Science

• Promotes our understanding of the Earth. $1.4 billion—$6.3 billion over five years—to embark on a series of high-priority, space-based Earth observation research missions that will advance understanding of the causes and consequences of changes to Earth's climate, oceans, and land surfaces.

• Pursues further research in space. $1.7 billion to conduct spaceflight missions and research to enhance understanding of the Sun and the universe.

• Enables breakthrough aeronautics technologies. $447 million to enable cheaper, safer, cleaner, and more convenient air travel.

Source: NASA Illustration of a lunar outpost and lunar rover.

Major Savings and Reforms

• Reduces the New Millennium technology demonstration program by $54 million due to its limited results, freeing funds for more effective efforts to develop satellite technology and scientific instruments.

Since 2001, NASA has:

• Advanced a bold, new vision for human and robotic exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

• Begun development of a new human spaceflight vehicle, called Orion, and a new rocket, the Ares I, to extend human exploration of the solar system.

• Continued assembly of the International Space Station, honoring the Nation's commitments to our international partners.

• Prepared for the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010 after three decades of service and partnered with the private sector to develop commercial transportation to the International Space Station.

• Successfully initiated 33 robotic spacecraft missions to explore the solar system and universe and to improve understanding of our own planet.