[NSS]NASA Budget for 2012

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NASA Budget for 2012

Funding Highlights:

Provides $18.7 billion, the same amount the agency received in 2010. Funding focuses on areas that will improve the Nation?s space capabilities, strengthen our competitive edge, and prepare the next generation of leaders in the field. The Budget also proposes to streamline operations and boost efficiencies at facilities
Maintains the Nation?s commitment to humanity?s foothold in space?the International Space Station?bringing nations together in a common pursuit of knowledge and excellence
Initiates development of a heavy-lift rocket and crew capsule to carry explorers beyond Earth?s orbit, including a mission to an asteroid next decade?the furthest journey in human history
Embraces partnership with the commercial space industry and the thousands of new jobs that it can create by contracting with American companies to provide astronaut transportation to the Space Station?thus reducing the risk of relying exclusively on foreign crew transport capabilities
Supports groundbreaking innovations by continuing a program of robotic solar system exploration and new astronomical observatories, including a probe that will fly through the Sun?s atmosphere and a new competitively-selected planetary science mission
Supports a robust and diverse fleet of Earth observation spacecraft to strengthen U.S. leadership in the field, better understand climate change, improve future weather predictions, and provide vital environmental data to Federal, State, and local policymakers
Sharpens the focus of the aeronautics research program by emphasizing enhancing aviation safety and airspace efficiency, and reducing the environmental impact of aviation
Initiates a pilot program to provide NASA Centers and surrounding communities with clean energy through the innovative use of NASA property.




Source: NASA Budget for 2012