National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2004 Budget in Brief, and Issues for Congress

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Science and technology

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Abstract:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 to conduct U.S. government civilian space activities (military space activities are under the purview of the Department of Defense). The FY2004 budget request for NASA is $15.5 billion, versus $15.3 billion appropriated for FY2003. Attention is focused on the investigation of the February 1, 2003 space shuttle Columbia tragedy (see CRS Report RS21408) and its implications for NASA and the space program as a whole. A more detailed analysis of NASA's FY2004 request is available in CRS Report RL31821. The House passed the FY2004 VA-HUD-IA appropriations bill, which includes NASA (H.R. 2861), on July 25, with a net increase of $71 million ($96 million in cuts and $167 million in additions). The House took no action on the space shuttle and related programs pending release of the report on the investigation of the Columbia accident. This report will be updated as events warrant.