US Legislature to Cut NASA Budget

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden at a budget briefing. (Credits: NASA).

The US Legislature released a compromise budget bill on November 14, which cuts NASA’s 2012 budget $684 million as compared to 2011 levels. Congress must pass the bill by November 18 to avoid a government shutdown. Approval of the bill is strongly expected.

“The legislation introduced today represents a bipartisan compromise that will prevent a potential government shutdown, support important programs and services that American people rely on, and make hard but necessary cuts to help rein in the nation’s deficit,” said House Appropriates Chairman Hal Rogers.

NASA has been operating under stop-gap spending measures since the fiscal year 2012 began in October. It will continue to utilize temporary funding through December when the new budget will take effect.

NASA has been allotted $3.8 billion for Space Exploration, including funds for the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy lift rocket and the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. $4.2 has been allotted for Space Operations, a $1.3 billion cut from 2011. $5.1 billion have been allotted for Science Programs, including the James Webb Space Telescope.

The video below is a summary of NASA’s 2012 budget request.