spacetoday.net: White House offers $19.1 billion for NASA in 2018 budget request

Posted: Sat, May 27, 2017, 9:51 AM ET (1351 GMT)
NASA

The White House's detailed fiscal year 2018 budget request, released May 23, provided more information on planned cuts to NASA Earth science and education programs. The request, which offers $19.1 billion for NASA, cuts $191 million from Earth science through the cancellation of five spacecraft and instruments. The Radiation Budget Instrument, under development for a future weather satellite, was added to four projects previous slated for cancellation. Flat budgets in future years, including no adjustment for inflation, also affect NASA's exploration and planetary science programs, such as delaying the Europa Clipper launch to the mid to late 2020s. NASA officials pitched the budget as a "very positive" request despite those constraints, although one key senator said he expected Congress to take action to restore cuts and other underfunded programs.