NSF Budget Request for FY 1994: Astronomical Sciences

The fiscal year 1994 National Science Foundation budget request for astronomical sciences is $113.94 million, which is an increase of 3.0% or $3.30 million above current funding if the supplemental funding legislation is passed.

RESEARCH PROJECT SUPPORT would increase by $1.50 million to $40.78 million. Previous budget breakdowns by elements are not given “in order to simplify the budgetary presentation.”

NATIONAL CENTERS funding would increase by $1.80 million to $73.16 million.

The budget document states:

“Increased support for FCCSET initiatives in High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) and Mathematics and Science Education (M&SE) totals $1.50 million.

“Explanation of Increases:

"$500,000 increase for HPCC is spread across both Research Project Support and National Centers. It includes support for development of advanced algorithms and software for complex, multi-dimensional modeling and enhanced network support for transfer of databases and remote control of observations.

"$1.00 million increase for M&SE will allow enhanced research opportunities for undergraduate students and faculty through individual investigator grants and through the National Centers.

“Research Project Support increases $1.50 million or 3.8%, providing:

"$500,000 for development of adaptive optics systems for moderate-aperture (3- to 4- meter) telescope and for development of optical interferometers in addition to the increased initiative funding described above.

“National Centers increases by $1.80 million or 2.5%. The impact on the individual centers is as follows:

"$720,000 decrease for the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC), or 7.4%, to a total of $9.07 million. Within this total, $3.92 million will complete a major upgrade of the 305-meter telescope to increase significantly its sensitivity and scientific capabilities. The upgrade, cost-shared with NASA, is estimated at $23 million total. Modest increases for NAIC operation and management include improvements to instrumentation.

"$1.26 million increase for the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), or 4.2%, to a total of $31.21 million. The increase will be focused on operations and maintenance of these optical and infrared observatories, with particular emphasis on infrastructure support.

"$1.26 million increase for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) to a total of $32.88 million. The increase will focus on operation and maintenance of existing telescopes, including repair of deteriorating infrastructure, associated instrumentation and computational support, and enhanced operations at the Very Long Baseline Array.”

The budget document continues:

“Construction of two 8-meter optical/infrared telescopes will continue under the auspices of NOAO with funds requested under the Major Research Equipment Subactivity. NRAO is currently constructing the new Green Bank Telescope, a 100 meter-class-, fully-steerable antenna. Construction will proceed in 1993 with funds made available in previous years through the Major Research Equipment Subactivity. Completion is anticipated in 1995.”