Obama 2010 Budget to Increase NASA Funding

President Barack Obama's FY2010 budget request contains a generous increase for NASA, from a projected 2009 level of $17.8 billion to $18.7 billion in FY2010. The 2010 Obama budget request also endorses the return to the Moon program.

There are few details as of yet of how the money will be distributed among the various NASA accounts in the 2010 Obama budget requests. But there are indications as to what Obama's priorities will be for the space agency.

2010 NASA budget highlights include, according to the White House:

"Provides $18.7 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Combined with the $1 billion provided to the agency in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, his represents a total increase of more than $2.4 billion over the 2008 level.

"Funds a program of space-based research that supports the Administration's commitment to deploy a global climate change research and monitoring system.

"Funds a robust program of space exploration involving humans and robots. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will return humans to the Moon while also supporting a vigorous program of robotic exploration of the solar system and universe.

"Funds the safe flight of the Space Shuttle through the vehicle's retirement at the end of 2010. An additional flight will be conducted if it can be completed safely before the end of 2010.

"Funds the development of new space flight systems for carrying American crews and supplies to space.

"Funds continued use of the International Space Station to support the agency and other Federal, commercial, and academic research and technology testing needs.

"Funds aeronautics research to address aviation safety, air traffic control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency."

The Obama NASA budget priorities would tend to be an affirmation of the Bush administration space program, including the exploration program and commercial development of space transportation systems. The addition is an emphasis in the use of satellites for climate change monitoring.

The Obama budget request for NASA represents a world historic development in the American space effort. When President Bush first proposed the Vision for Space Exploration, there was much speculation of how his successor might view the program. Barack Obama himself, at first, cast doubt on his support for the VSE, suggesting that he would cut back funding for it to pay for an education initiative. Obama later changed his mind and endorsed both the VSE and a large increase of funding for NASA.

The Obama budget request has affirmed that the Vision for Space Exploration has bi-partisan support. Congresses controlled by both parties have funded the effort. Now Presidents of both parties have endorsed the exploration program. Congress recently allocated over a billion dollars to NASA in the Obama stimulus package, including more money for the exploration program. The uncertainty over the long term political prospects of the exploration program is now put to rest. And debate over political support for the effort is now over.

Sources: 2010 Budget Request: Nationa Aeronautics and Space Administration, The White House