space launch system 8.2014
Artist concept of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) 70-metric-ton configuration launching to space. SLS will be the most powerful rocket ever built for deep space missions, including to an asteroid and ultimately to Mars. (NASA/MSFC image)
The House Appropriations Committee has passed a NASA budget for 2016 that tells the space agency Congress is serious about the big new rocket being developed in Alabama, wants it used more, and is ready to spend more money to build it.
The budget passed Wednesday by a voice vote gives NASA $519 million more than 2015 and the Space Launch System $150 million of that. SLS would get $1.85 billion in 2016 compared to $1.7 billion this year.
The bill also designates SLS as the launch vehicle for NASA's planned mission to the Jupiter Europa moon in 2022 and provides $50 million to advance work on its permanent upper stage. SLS will fly first with a modified Delta rocket stage on top.
"I am very pleased with passage of this funding bill by the House Appropriations Committee," committee member and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said in a statement. "We have worked diligently to make sure it has a positive impact on Alabama."
The house panel also writes the budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The budget passed Wednesday directs NOAA to do more tornado research in the Southeast using facilities such as the Severe Weather Institute, Radar & Lightning Laboratory (SWIRLL) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
The full House will vote on the budget this summer. The Senate will also approve its version at some point, and the two will be reconciled later this year.
Here are other key numbers in the Appropriations Committee's NASA budget:
- NASA overall (the so-called top line number) $18.529 billion
- Exploration: $3.409 billion
- Space Operations: $3.957 billion
- Science: $5.237 billion
- Orion Deep Space Crew Vehicle: $1.096 billion
- Commercial spaceflight: $1 billion
- Astrophysics: $735.6 million
- Space grants: $40 million
- Space technology: $625 million
- Exploration R&D: $350 million