National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – NASA is funded at $21.5 billion, $810 million above the 2018 enacted level. This funding includes:$5.1 billion for Deep Space Exploration Systems – $294 million above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. This includes funding to continue the development of the Orion crew vehicle, Space Launch System, and related ground systems.$6.7 billion for NASA Science programs – $459 million above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. This targets funding to planetary and other sciences to ensure the continuation of groundbreaking scientific missions.The bill fully funds the requested amounts for robotic and human exploration of the moon, including $504.2 million for the lunar orbital platform; $116.5 million for advanced lunar and surface capabilities; $218 million for planetary science, including rovers and science instruments; and $150 million for commercial low-earth orbit development.
Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST).—The recommendation includes $150,000,000 for WFIRST, which was included as the first priority in the 2010 Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The Committee is concerned about the growing cost of the prime mission as noted by a recent independent examination. To reduce mission costs and ensure that overlap with James Webb Space Telescope is maximized, NASA should implement the most efficient development program for the telescope and its instruments. Further, to enhance the cost effectiveness of science operations, NASA shall leverage more extensively the experience acquired on Hubble, Spitzer, and Wise. The recommended amount shall include continued development of the chronograph as a technology demonstration mission. Further, within amounts provided for WFIRST, $20,000,000 is for continued development of the Starshade technology demonstration effort. The Committee understands that WFIRST is already ‘‘Starshade-ready’’ within the $3,200,000,000 cost cap. The Starshade, in tandem with WFIRST, will enable NASA to identify the nearest Earth-like planet around the nearest star, and thereby identify a target or multiple targets for the interstellar mission NASA has been developing.
A number of Democratic Senator made Bridenstine state that his views on Earth science have "evolved" and that he now believes that human activity is the "leading cause" for carbon emissions that create climate changes.
WFIRST.—The Committee rejects the proposal to cancel this mission which was the highest priority of the most recent Astrophysics decadal survey to settle fundamental questions about the nature of dark energy and has provided $352,000,000 for WFIRST to be developed on a timeline that allows a 2025 launch date. The Committee is concerned about the growing cost of the prime mission and expects NASA to use a firm $3,200,000,000 mission cost cap in its future planning of the mission. To reduce mission costs and ensure that overlap with the James Webb Space Telescope is maximized, NASA should implement the most efficient development program for the telescope and its instruments.
Nuclear Propulsion.—NASA is continuing its work to develop the foundational technologies and advance low-enriched uranium nuclear thermal propulsion systems that can provide significantly faster trip times for crewed missions than non-nuclear options. Not less than $75,000,000 shall be expended to support the development and demonstration of a nuclear thermal propulsion system. Within 180 days of the enactment of this act, NASA, in conjunction with other relevant Federal departments and agencies shall submit a multi-year plan that enables a demonstration no later than 2024 and describes future missions and propulsion and power systems enabled by this capability.
Advanced Exploration Systems [AES].—The Committee provides $1,043,700,000 for AES. Within these amounts, $504,200,000 is for development of the Lunar Orbital Platform in support of development of the initial power and propulsion element. The Committee is supportive of the Human Research Program, but does not agree with NASA’s proposed move of this activity and other activities funded in this account in fiscal year 2018 into Space Technology and instead provides funding for this activity within AES. Advanced Cislunar and Surface Capabilities [ACSC].—The Committee provides $116,500,000 for ACSC. As NASA embarks on a return to the Moon as part of its larger human exploration strategy, the need for the development of a range of lander technologies to support such missions is critical. Small and medium-sized landers will be needed for exploration activities while building up to larger landers and eventually human ascent vehicles. NASA should ensure that its investments in this account and in science are coordinated and that between the two accounts, the agency is pursuing the development of landers of varying sizes and capabilities so as to meet its long-term science and exploration goals. Public-private partnerships [PPPs] with U.S. commercial space companies could help expedite development of lunar landers, including development of hardware, propulsion, communications, and software necessary for lunar landing vehicles, and NASA is encouraged to use firm fixed-price partnerships with PPPs, as appropriate. To ensure that landers in a range of sizes are a part of ACSC, NASA shall allocate $25,000,000 within its lunar lander demonstration program in fiscal year 2019 to meet the goal of delivering medium to large payloads to the lunar surface by 2023.