Status Report

Budget summary for @NASA in FY 2023

By SpaceRef Editor
March 28, 2022
Filed under ,

Budget summary for @NASA in FY 2023 in the President’s budget request – Excerpt Pages 109-110 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) inspires the Nation by sending astronauts and robotic missions to explore the solar system, advances the Nation’s understanding of the Earth and space, and develops new technologies and approaches to improve aviation and space activities. The President’s 2023 Budget for NASA invests in: human and robotic exploration of the Moon; new technologies to improve the Nation’s space capabilities; and addressing the climate crisis through cutting-edge research satellites and green aviation research.

The Budget requests $26 billion in discretionary funding for NASA, a $2.7 billion or 11.6-percent increase from the 2021 enacted level.

The President’s 2023 Budget:

• Enhances U.S. Human Spaceflight Leadership. The Budget provides $7.5 billion, $1.1 billion above the 2021 enacted level, for Artemis lunar exploration. Artemis would return American astronauts to the Moon as early as 2025, land the first woman and person of color on the Moon, deepen the Nation’s scientific understanding of the Moon, and test technologies that would allow humans to safely and sustainably explore Mars. Lunar landing missions would also include astronauts from international partners.

• Addresses the Climate Crisis. The Budget invests $2.4 billion in Earth-observing satellites and related research to improve the Nation’s understanding of climate change. The new satellite missions would form an Earth System Observatory that would provide a threedimensional, holistic view of Earth that is needed to better understand natural hazards and climate change. In addition, NASA would collaborate with other agencies to enhance greenhouse gas monitoring and make greenhouse gas data more accessible to a broad range of users. The Budget also provides more than $500 million to reduce the climate impacts of the aviation industry as part of a $972 million request for NASA’s Aeronautics program. This includes the Sustainable Flight National Partnership, through which NASA and U.S. companies would develop and fly a highly-efficient, next-generation airliner prototype as early as 2026.

• Supports the Development of Commercial Space Stations. The Budget supports operations of the International Space Station, paving the way for its continued operation through 2030, and allocates $224 million to support the development of commercial space stations that NASA, other Government agencies, the Nation’s international partners, and the private sector can use after the International Space Station is retired.

• Advances Robotic Exploration of the Moon and Mars. The Budget invests over $480 million in lunar robotic missions, including a rover to investigate ice deposits that could provide future astronauts with fuel and oxygen and the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative that supports low-cost deliveries to the Moon. The Budget also provides $822 million for the Mars Sample Return mission, which would return Martian rock and soil samples to Earth.

• Spurs Research and Development. The Budget increases funding for NASA’s Space Technology research and development portfolio to more than $1.4 billion, a $338 million increase above the 2021 enacted level. This investment would support new technologies to help the commercial space industry grow, enhance mission capabilities, and reduce costs. NASA has a key role in better understanding the worsening orbital debris environment and supporting the development of innovative approaches to help protect the Nation’s satellites and reduce the risk posed by space debris. The Budget provides over $30 million for orbital debris research, early-stage technology, and measurement technologies.

• Broadens Participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The Budget provides $150 million, $23 million above the 2021 enacted level, for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement in order to attract diverse groups of students to STEM through learning opportunities that spark interest and provide connections to NASA’s mission and work. This effort includes targeted engagement of underserved populations, including underserved students and people of color

SpaceRef staff editor.