Congress Reaffirms Commitment to Space and Aeronautics Research

The NASA Authorization Act of 2008 provides much needed funding for space programs and aeronautics research and development, and gives the next administration a clear sense of congressional support for the future of the agency. Provisions include $20.2 billion for the agency, with an additional $1 billion dedicated to accelerated development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares 1 launch vehicle. The bill also authorizes $853.4 million for aeronautics, which is $208.4 million over last year's appropriated level. NASA's NextGen-related research will help increase the safety, security and capacity of air transportation operations while protecting the environment. NextGen improvements will be implemented over the next 10 years. The additional funding for the Orion and Ares I is critical to reducing the impending five-year gap in our ability to travel to space when the space shuttle retires in 2010.