spacetoday.net: Panel recommends against astronomy policy changes

Posted: Wed, Sep 5, 2001, 9:05 AM ET (1305 GMT)
The Bush Administration should not transfer control of federally-funded astronomy research from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to NASA, according to a report published Tuesday. The report, by a National Academy of Sciences panel, noted that NASA's "flight-mission orientation" would have a "net disruptive effect" on standard astronomy research. Both NASA and the NSF fund astronomy research, although NASA's share of overall funding has increased in recent years. The Bush Administration had suggested earlier this year that all control for astronomy funding should be shifted to NASA to cut costs, but a spokesman for the Office of Management and Budget told the New York Times that the panel's report would be "influential" as they refine their proposed changes.