National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2007 Budget in Brief, and Key Issues for Congress

Publication Date: February 2006

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) conducts U.S. civilian space activities. For FY2006, NASA received $16,623 million when adjusted for two across-the-board rescissions and a $350 million augmentation for hurricane recovery. For FY2007, the request is $16,792 million, a 1% increase. NASA officials state that the FY2007 request is a 3.2% increase over FY2006 because they do not include the hurricane augmentation in their calculation. The key issue for Congress is how NASA is implementing the new Vision for Space Exploration, especially whether it is maintaining a balanced portfolio of programs that include science and aeronautics. NASA funding is appropriated in the Science, State, Justice, Commerce appropriations bill. In 2005, Congress passed a NASA authorization act (P.L. 109-155) that authorized NASA funding for FY2007 at $17,932 million. This report will be updated.