(Human Space Flight) House Rpt.107-740 VA-HUD Appropriations Bill 2003
HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT
(including transfer of funds)
Fiscal year 2003 recommendation $6,130,900,000
Fiscal year 2002 appropriation 6,912,400,000
Fiscal year 2003 budget request 6,130,900,000
Comparison with fiscal year 2002 appropriation -781,500,000
Comparison with fiscal year 2003 request +0
This appropriation provides for human space flight activities,
including development of the international space station and operation
of the space shuttle. This account also includes support of planned
cooperative activities with Russia, upgrades to the performance and
safety of the space shuttle, and required construction projects in
direct support of the space station and space shuttle programs. Starting
with the fiscal year 2002 appropriation, this account also includes
funding for activities previously carried in the Mission Support
appropriations account.
The Committee recommends a total of $6,130,900,000 for the human
space flight account in fiscal year 2003.
In the past this Committee and the Congress have been staunch
supporters of NASA’s efforts to upgrade its shuttle fleet in the areas
of safety and reliability. It is with deep regret that the Committee
notes that once again, major safety upgrades funded in prior years’
budgets have been cancelled due to technological obstacles or cost
constraints. The Committee is frustrated that NASA cannot seem to
accurately evaluate the risks of its proposed upgrade program components
and the cost of those components. The Committee directs NASA to
undertake a serious evaluation of the process by which safety upgrades
are proposed and approved, only to be cancelled or deferred less than
one year later. NASA is directed to report to the Committee on
Appropriations within 60 days on the steps being taken to correct
deficiencies in the process.
