spacetoday.net: Spending bill gives NASA $17.65 billion for fiscal year 2014

Posted: Wed, Jan 15, 2014, 6:54 AM ET (1154 GMT)
NASA

A spending bill Congress is set to approve this week will give NASA $17.65 billion in fiscal year 2014, close to what the administration originally requested. The omnibus appropriations bill announced late Monday by House and Senate negotiators includes $17.65 billion overall for NASA, closed to the administration's request of $17.72 billion. The bill fully funds several key agency programs, including the SLS heavy-lift rocket, Orion crew spacecraft, and James Webb Space Telescope. It also includes $696 million for commercial crew, below NASA's request of $821 million but higher than the program received in previous years. Planetary science received $127 million more than the administration's request, with $80 million specified for studies of a potential Europa mission not requested by the administration. The spending bill is expected to pass the House and Senate by the end of this week.