In passing its FY 2005 VA/HUD spending bill (S. 2825) on September 21,
the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended a total of $15,579.5
million for NASA. Although $201.3 million greater than NASA's FY 2004
budget, this is $664.5 million less than President Bush requested. The
Committee would increase funding for Exploration Capabilities above
FY 2004 funding, but reduce the Exploration, Science and Aeronautics
account. Neither account is funded at the level asked for by the President.
In the accompanying report (S. Rept. 108-353), the Committee notes that
it is "supportive" of the President's space exploration vision,
but warns that the "current Federal fiscal environment is not favorable
to supporting completely the budget NASA has presented for fiscal year
2005." To fund two of its important priorities - restoring the
space shuttle to flight and servicing the Hubble Space Telescope - the
Committee designated for those efforts $800.0 million in emergency funding
that is not subject to budget caps. However, there are indications that
the Administration, and budget hawks in Congress, are displeased with
efforts to designate these and other items as emergency spending, adding
to the difficulties of finishing up the appropriations process in a
timely manner.
The Committee devotes a lengthy portion of report language to its opinions
and concerns regarding the President's exploration vision, the need
to develop new heavy lift capability, and the importance of maintaining
a strong, balanced science program. Stating that NASA's science program
"should be nurtured and sustained as the new policy is implemented,"
the report calls for "the National Academies' Space Studies Board
to conduct a thorough review of the science that NASA is proposing to
undertake under the new policy and to develop a strategy by which all
of NASA's science disciplines...can make adequate progress towards their
established goals, as well as providing scientific research in support
of the new policy." Selections from this portion of the report
will be provided in greater length in FYI
#130. Readers who wish to view the text in full can find it
at http://thomas.loc.gov/.
EXPLORATION, SCIENCE AND AERONAUTICS:
The Committee recommends $7,736.5 million for this account. According
to the report, this is $146.7 million, or 1.9 percent, less than FY
2004 funding of $7,883.2 million, and $23.5 million, or 0.3 percent,
less than the request of $7,760.0 million. The House bill would provide
$7,621.2 million.
Selected quotations from this section of the report text are provided
below:
Space Science: In its report, the Committee states that it has
included "an additional $300,000,000 in emergency funding for a
servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.... The Committee anticipates
that there will be a Hubble servicing mission which, at this time, is
not a part of the fiscal year 2005 budget submission. Once the study
being conducted by the National Academy of Sciences is completed, the
Committee will consider any appropriate funding options presented by
NASA. NASA should consider a servicing mission a priority." Among
other items in this section of the report, the Committee expresses concern
over "proposed reductions to the Living With a Star" program
and "the growth of the Solar Dynamics Observatory." Additionally,
it "expects NASA to provide the necessary funding for the Pluto-Kuiper
Belt mission in 2005 to ensure the mission is launched on schedule.
The Committee expects NASA to submit any request for additional funds
through the operating plan."
Earth Science: The report states, "The Committee believes
that Earth science has been a critical part of a balanced space program
long advocated by this Committee. The Committee remains fully committed
to a robust Earth science program at NASA notwithstanding the recent
headquarters reorganization plan. The Committee expects NASA to remain
fully committed to Earth science, with future missions identified with
5 year funding profiles that reflect a serious commitment to Earth science
as a vital part of the Nation's space program."
Biological and Physical Research: According to the report, "The
Committee has expressed its intent that scientific research remain one
of NASA's top priorities. However, delays in the construction of the
Station and the current stand down of the Shuttle fleet have significantly
reduced the opportunities for life and microgravity research in the
near term. In order to maximize what research can still be done on the
[space station], the Committee funds Biological Sciences Research within
Earth science at $368,000,000, the same as the funding level for fiscal
year 2004."
EXPLORATION CAPABILITIES:
The Committee recommends $7,811.1 million for this account. According
to the report, this is $343.2 million, or 4.6 percent, above FY 2004
funding of $7,467.9 million, and $715.3 million, or 8.4 percent, less
than the requested level of $8,526.4 million. The House VA/HUD appropriations
bill would provide $7,496.8 million.
Selected quotations from this section of the report text are provided
below:
Space Shuttle: "The Committee has included an additional
$500,000,000 in emergency funding for the Space Shuttle to implement
the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board and
other costs associated with return to flight activities.... The Committee
continues to believe that there is no higher priority than improving
the safety and reliability of the remaining Shuttle orbiters.... The
future of the [space station], and other U.S. manned space flight missions
for the rest of the decade are contingent upon having a working Shuttle
fleet that is safe and reliable throughout the remaining years of the
shuttle program. The Committee is concerned that as the Shuttle and
the Shuttle infrastructure continue to age, further challenges in operating
the fleet may arise.... Finally, the Committee expects regular consultations
by NASA on all proposed changes to investments in the Shuttle program."
Space Station: The Committee notes that the International Space
Station [ISS] continues to operate at a reduced level with future construction
not expected to begin until 2005. The current crew of two cannot fully
utilize the capabilities of the ISS for the research it was intended
to facilitate, and the caretaker role of the astronauts does not currently
justify the funds requested for operations of the ISS. Despite the ability
of the international partners to fill the gap created by the grounding
of the shuttle fleet, the capabilities of the ISS have been dramatically
diminished. Accordingly, the Committee has reduced funding for the ISS
by $120,000,000. As soon as the Shuttle is available to provide access
to the ISS, the Committee is adamant that NASA provide the Committee
with a plan detailing the steps necessary to complete construction of
the ISS. This plan may include completion of the ISS by only using the
shuttle, or a combination of shuttle and unmanned flights for delivering
components to the ISS.... If there is to be a redirection of the research
to be conducted onboard the ISS, any revision shall be done in consultation
with the ISS partners. These partners will be affected by such actions,
and their participation to this point has been both crucial and beneficial.
If NASA intends to have international partners for future space exploration,
then NASA should be sure not to exclude its current partners in making
decisions involving the research direction and construction schedule
of the ISS."
Crew Exploration Vehicle: "The Committee is prepared to
commit funds to the Crew Exploration Vehicle [CEV], but is concerned
that there has not been enough initial planning to determine what specific
capabilities the CEV should have.... While the Committee feels that
a plan with sufficient details on cost and accountability for any subsequent
budget overruns will eventually emerge, the time to lay the proper groundwork
for such an ambitious vision is prior to heading down the path, not
on the way.... As NASA begins to consider another manned vehicle program,
the Committee does not want to repeat the mistakes of the Space Station,
where poor management and lack of independent oversight resulted in
major cost overruns, to occur with the CEV.... Therefore, the Committee
directs the Administrator to identify an independent oversight committee
to examine the design, technology readiness and cost estimates for the
CEV.... In order to allow for the initiation of the CEV, the Committee
recommends a funding level of $268,000,000. This will allow for a modest
start for this ambitious program, and still allow NASA the time needed
to refine its plans for the vehicle in time for a full start in the
fiscal year 2006 budget request."
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