Posted: Fri, Jun 29, 2007, 7:53 AM ET (1153 GMT)
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a funding bill yesterday that includes $17.45 billion for NASA in fiscal year 2008. The appropriations bill would give the space agency about $150 million more than what the President requested in his budget proposal, with most of the increase devoted to Earth sciences programs. The budget fully funds the ISS, shuttle, and the development of the Orion spacecraft and Ares 1 launcher. An effort to add an additional $1 billion to the space agency was withdrawn during the committee meeting after the committee chairman, Sen. Robert Byrd, objected. Supporters of the emergency spending measure plan to reintroduce it when the full Senate takes up the appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee is expected to approve its version of a NASA spending bill, which currently includes slightly more money for NASA, next month.

Related Links:

•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Senate Appropriations Committee press release