National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Provides $25.178 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which is $303.640 million (1%) above the FY24 enacted level and $204.100 million below the President’s Budget Request.
Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program.—The recommendation supports no less than $458,300,000 and up to $533,300,000 for the Lunar Discovery and Exploration Program (LDEP). The Committee urges NASA to ensure LDEP missions remain on schedule and do not cause delay to Artemis. Commercial Lunar Payload Services.—The recommendation includes the request for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The Committee notes the importance of CLPS funding remaining at no less than the fiscal year 2024 enacted level, to grow the space economy and to create lasting, affordable commercial operations on the Moon. The Committee strongly supports NASA’s partnerships and leveraging of the space industry through the CLPS program. The Committee emphasizes the importance of the CLPS program in maintaining American leadership in space, developing a domestic space industrial base for the U.S.’s return to the Moon, and increasing lunar operations.
Mars Sample Return.—The Committee remains committed to the prioritization process as set by the Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey. While the Committee supports NASA’s efforts to evaluate additional industry solutions for the Mars Sample Return mission, the Committee remains concerned that the agency’s decisions have led to serious losses to NASA’s high-skilled workforce and leadership in areas critical to planetary sciences as well as future NASA missions. As such, the recommendation includes no less than $650,000,000 to advance the Mars Sample Return mission. In accordance with the Independent Review Board’s conclusions regarding the critical importance of this mission, and considering the existing architecture committed to successfully returning samples to Earth, the Committee directs NASA to ensure that its fiscal year 2026 budget request includes the funding necessary to complete the mission launch no later than 2031. Mars Sample Return Innovation.—The Committee is encouraged by NASA’s recent solicitation for industry proposals on innovative and alternative architectures and elements for the Mars Sample Return mission. Additionally, the Committee is interested in seeing how commercial applicant involvement could change how Science Mission Directorate missions are conducted. The Committee notes the potential for incoming proposals to include lower life-cycle cost, lower annual cost, provide earlier sample return, and lower mission complexity and risk. The Committee notes that NASA has not announced a process by which these proposals will be evaluated and directs NASA to submit a report, no later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, detailing any criteria it plans to utilize in the assessment of the proposals.
The recommendation includes $1,181,800,000 for Space Technology, which is $81,800,000 above fiscal year 2024 and equal to the request. Lunar Power Systems.—The recommendation includes $120,000,000 for the development of lunar power systems for anticipated surface missions in the mid-2020s. Fission Surface Power.—The recommendation includes $50,000,000 for the advancement of Fission Surface Power, if NASA determines that fission can supply power for ten years in the lunar environment. Nuclear Thermal Propulsion.—Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) is a critical space propulsion technology that will enable a host of exploration, scientific, national security, and commercial applications. The recommendation includes $110,000,000 for the Space Nuclear Propulsion, for the development and demonstration of operational nuclear propulsion systems. Subsequent NASA budget submissions and future year projections should reflect how nuclear propulsion objectives and goals are rated in the shortfall prioritization process. In addition, NASA is directed to provide a detailed spending plan for NTP as well as a plan for the design. Nuclear Electric Propulsion.—The recommendation includes up to $20,000,000 to begin a systematic approach to developing Nuclear Electric Propulsion technologies and systems capable of ferrying astronauts to Mars or deep space science missions. Space Nuclear Propulsion Program Office.—The Committee notes the intent of the Space Technology Mission Directorate to establish a Space Nuclear Propulsion Technology Program Office, to coordinate the development and demonstration of NTP and capabilities. The Committee encourages the Space Technology Mission Directorate to expedite the establishment of this important Program Office.
CAPSTONE Mission Extension.—The Committee notes that the CAPSTONE mission has reduced risk for future spacecraft and the Artemis Program by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). The CAPSTONE mission extension will facilitate additional development of the underlying technologies informed by the mission data and the dissemination of the model to support other missions-of-opportunity programs. Therefore, the Committee directs the Small Spacecraft Technology program to provide mission of opportunity funding for the CAPSTONE mission extension.
Human Landing System.—The recommendation includes no less than $1,864,000,000 for the Human Landing System (HLS). [Note that the President's FY25 request was for $1,896.1M.]
Block 1B Development.—The Committee is supportive of NASA’s plans to fully develop SLS capabilities and directs NASA to continue the simultaneous development of the authorized activities under section 302(c)(1)(a) and (b) of Public Law 111–267. Enabling the evolution of SLS from the vehicle used in Artemis I to the Block 1B variant and eventually the 130 metric ton variant, requires the continued development of the interim Block 1B variation of SLS, including the continued development of Exploration Upper Stage. It also requires modifications to SLS, the continued construction of an ML–2 as a Block 1B compatible mobile launch platform, and development of any additional processing and launch capabilities. To further enable NASA’s goals for the Artemis program, the recommendation includes no less than $235,800,000 and up to $600,000,000 for Block 1B development for Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) engine development and associated stage adapter work from within the amounts provided for SLS.
Exploration Extravehicular Activity Service.—The Committee supports NASA’s efforts to award two task orders to multiple industry providers to advance the development, testing, certification, and mission readiness of next generation extravehicular activity (EVA) spacesuits for the International Space Station (ISS) and future Low Earth Orbit platforms as well as the Artemis III mission and beyond. The Committee believes having two providers funded and providing capability for these missions will ensure continued competition on cost, schedule, and capability while providing NASA with redundancy for Artemis and Mars missions. The recommendation includes no less than $494,900,000 for the Exploration Extravehicular Activity Service (XEVAS) and Human Surface Mobility program in fiscal year 2025 to ensure that all task orders necessary to maintain schedule for the ISS demonstration and missions and Artemis missions to the Moon and later Mars are fulfilled. The Committee directs NASA to support competition and redundancy for future Artemis missions starting with Artemis IV by providing the Committee with a plan, including a task order and funding roadmap, to have both EVA spacesuits developed and certified for lunar surface missions in time for the selection of the EVA spacesuit for the Artemis IV mission. Human Landing System Program Initiative.—The Committee directs NASA to fund the development and crewed demonstration of a second commercial human landing system through the Sustaining Lunar Development Program initiative in the Human Landing System Program initiative. Commercial LEO Destinations.—The Committee is aware that NASA plans two phases for Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD), which is a deviation from the phasing and timelines used successfully in NASA’s Commercial Cargo and Crew Programs. The Committee seeks to understand NASA’s plans to take full advantage of potential CLD providers, while addressing the technical risks of the planned two-phase program compared to alternative approaches. NASA is directed to brief the Committee no later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act on its plans to achieve rapid and cost-effective CLD capabilities. This briefing shall include an assessment of: (i) the benefits of NASA’s CLD requirements being met by a mix of different services from CLD contractor teams instead of requiring nearly identical services from providers; and (ii) the benefits of the CLD program taking incremental steps toward more advanced CLD capabilities over time.
Apophis Reconnaissance Mission.—The Committee notes the importance of the OSIRIS–APEX mission and is concerned that NASA may miss a unique opportunity presented by the asteroid Apophis’s close approach to the Earth in 2029. The recommendation includes $5,000,000 for NASA to develop a plan for a public-private partnership reconnaissance mission to Apophis prior to its 2029 flyby. No later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, the Committee directs NASA to provide a briefing on how the agency’s investments in the New Frontiers program will advance this mission, including NASA’s plans to execute the funds, key milestones, and deliverables. The Committee directs NASA that this briefing shall include updates on any partnerships formed, technological innovations employed, scientific findings generated, and the impact of this mission on advancing U.S. asteroid research and planetary defense capabilities. The Committee emphasizes the importance of prioritizing resources effectively to ensure the success of this mission and encourages NASA to explore funding mechanisms that balance the need for scientific exploration with budgetary constraints, including new and innovative approaches that leverage the expertise of small companies, non-traditional partners, and private sector resource exploration potential benefits.
House Appropriators Boost Mars Sample Return While Cutting Science Overall:https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-appropriators-boost-mars-sample-return-while-cutting-science-overall/https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1810517333674213486
Quote from: yg1968 on 07/09/2024 03:35 amHouse Appropriators Boost Mars Sample Return While Cutting Science Overall:https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-appropriators-boost-mars-sample-return-while-cutting-science-overall/https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1810517333674213486The headline should have been "House Appropriators Boost Pork, Cut Science". The house doesn't care about MSR, they're just chasing pork.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): The bill provides $25.4 billion for NASA, which is a $559 million increase above fiscal year 2024. The bill includes significant resources to enable the goal of returning Americans to the Moon, providing $7.65 billion for Exploration, which is $30 million above the President’s budget request. The bill supports progress on the Artemis Campaign Development, including funding for NASA to meet all contractual obligations for both Human Landing Systems in fiscal year 2025.Within NASA Science, the Near-Earth Object Surveyor mission to find potentially dangerous asteroids and comets receives $236 million, $26 million above fiscal year 2024. The bill also provides $1.58 billion for Astrophysics, including $187 million to operate the James Webb Space Telescope. Further, the bill includes $812 million for Heliophysics, which is $7 million above fiscal year 2024.Aeronautics is supported at $966 million to ensure continued U.S. leadership in aviation and to invest in sustainable aviation technologies. Key NASA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Engagement total $144 million. This includes Space Grant ($58.5 million), the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Technology ($26 million), the Minority University Research and Education Project ($45.5 million).
The Committee provides not less than the request level for the Space Launch System [SLS], Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle [Orion] and Exploration Ground Systems [EGS]. These funding levels ensure the earliest possible crewed launch of SLS, as well as prepare for the development of future science and crewed missions. However, NASA must effectively manage the cost and schedule of the agency’s highest priority missions, especially in light of a constrained fiscal environment. The Committee is concerned that cost overruns for flagship missions, including those in the Exploration Directorate are affecting programs across the agency and that, in the long term, NASA must drive down launch costs to ensure the long-term success of the Artemis campaign. The Committee acknowledges the OIG’s findings in IG–24–001 that the lack of competition for heavy-lift services are impeding the ability to drive down exploration launch costs. Therefore, not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, NASA shall provide the Committee with a report outlining how the agency is planning on reducing launch costs beginning with Artemis V. The report should include progress on implementing the recommendations in IG–24–001 and an analysis of how commercial launch options could be part of the agency’s long-term strategy.Human Landing System [HLS].—The Committee recognizes the national importance of America’s return to the Moon and provides $1,896,100,000 to achieve the contracted HLS Option A, Option B, and Sustaining Lander Development missions, as well as development of cargo landing services derived from these crewed landers to support the development of sustainable human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Competition between industry partners will drive long-term affordability for the HLS program. The Committee directs NASA to utilize a competitive process for contracting cargo landing missions and crewed landing missions within the purview of the HLS program that have not yet been awarded.Exploration Extravehicular Activity [xEVA] Spacesuits. —The Committee provides not less than $434,200,000 for the xEVA and Human Surface Mobility program to maintain schedule for the International Space Station and Artemis missions. NASA shall only procure EVA spacesuits and services for NASA and international partner astronauts for Low Earth Orbit, Artemis and deep space missions that meet the strict safety and mission criteria required under the xEVA program. Further, the Committee expects that the HLS, Gateway, and Lunar Terrain Vehicle development teams are coordinating with the xEVA program to ensure compatibility. Commercial Crew and Cargo.—The Committee strongly supports continued, regular access to the ISS and notes that this access supports national capabilities in Earth orbit and is vital to retaining U.S. leadership in space. NASA is directed to maintain the high skilled workforce supporting ISS operations, which in turn will have impacts on the safety and operations of our sustained human presence and mission in LEO. NASA shall maintain a regular cadence of not less than two crew rotation missions per year and five cargo missions per year on U.S. vehicle systems while the ISS is operational.Commercial Crew Vehicles.—The Committee believes NASA should consider establishing a reliable crew vehicle program to ensure uninterrupted access to the ISS and future commercial LEO platforms. In doing so, NASA is urged to consider dissimilar redundancy, while leveraging current Federal and private investment in cargo to benefit crew. The Committee directs NASA to provide a report, no later than 180 days after enactment of this act, on what steps are required to modify currently available cargo vehicles to a crewed variant, including vehicular modifications, cost, and timing.
Quote from: pages 163 to 165 of the Senate CJS Appropriations ReportThe Committee directs NASA to provide a report, no later than 180 days after enactment of this act, on what steps are required to modify currently available cargo vehicles to a crewed variant, including vehicular modifications, cost, and timing.https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FY25%20CJS%20Senate%20Report.pdf
The Committee directs NASA to provide a report, no later than 180 days after enactment of this act, on what steps are required to modify currently available cargo vehicles to a crewed variant, including vehicular modifications, cost, and timing.
Quote from: deltaV on 07/09/2024 03:42 amQuote from: yg1968 on 07/09/2024 03:35 amHouse Appropriators Boost Mars Sample Return While Cutting Science Overall:https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-appropriators-boost-mars-sample-return-while-cutting-science-overall/https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1810517333674213486The headline should have been "House Appropriators Boost Pork, Cut Science". The house doesn't care about MSR, they're just chasing pork.Well your comment has already aged badly considering a certain rock just discovered on Mars and looks even more ill informed than the first time you made it.
