White House Proposes $17.5 Billion NASA Budget for Further Space Exploration

Congress might be under some pressure this year as the White House has dropped another astronomical bill in their lap. Perhaps less controversial than bills past, this proposal is for NASA's base budget in 2015.

Despite tight funds for the United States government, the White House has submitted a $17.5 billion base budget for NASA, and the provisions detail commercial space ventures that haven't been typical approvals of Congress.

NASA released their budget documents for 2015 earlier today on their website and Administrator Charles Bolden and Chief Financial Officer Beth Robinson briefed the media at 2 p.m. Congress passed a $17.6 billion budget last year, but there have been other budget concerns this year regarding Obamacare as well as environmental issues.

The Obama Administration supports NASA's strategic plan to maintain the United States as a leader in space exploration as well as make advances in science, technology, and aeronautics. For 2015, a big part of NASA's proposal is to conduct more human exploration operations.

Provided by NASA FY 2015 Budget Request, the most comprehensive and expensive "Human Exploration Operations" aspect is detailed below:

• The budget will be split between Exploration and Space Operations.
• Extend the operation of the International Space Station until 2024 and ensure delivery of cargo through vendors they have hired.
• Continue to develop Space Launch System/Orion for deep space exploration missions.
• Further develop technologies for life support, deep space habitation, advanced space suits, and autonomous space operations.
• Support continued commercial development of U.S. crew transportation systems (certified by 2017).

Other aspects of the budget include Science, Space Technology, Aeronautics Research, Education, and Cross Agency Support and Construction and Environmental Remediation. When Congress approves the 2015 budget (because it most likely will), NASA will hope to succeed in their research and development projects since the next four years feature budgets in excess of $17.5 billion.

To read more about the 2015 NASA budget, visit the NASA website as well as this Wall Street Journal article.