NASA FY 2007 Budget Battle Begins
IFPTE Letter To House and Senate Democratic Appropriators Regarding NASA FY 2007 Budget
“The Vision for Space Exploration is deeply embedded in the American psyche and cannot be dismissed as a mere political ploy or passing fancy. Administrator Griffin has performed a masterful job of moving this Vision towards reality and deserves high praise for the successes thus far in the Return-to-Flight of the Shuttle and in the Preparation-for- Flight of the new Exploration Vehicles. Although the budgets, schedule, and contracts of the Vision will need to be carefully scrutinized as we move into FY08, Dr. Griffin and NASA have earned the small budgetary increase needed in FY07 to keep the Constellation program moving forward at a reasonable pace and thus to minimize the gap between Shuttle retirement and the first manned launch of NASA’s next space vehicle.”
NASA workers fight layoffs, seek spaceship aid, Government Executive
“In terms of layoffs, Mikulski said, “I do not want any RIFs [reductions in force] at NASA this year or any other year.” NASA officials declined to comment on the budget until it is signed into law. NASA headquarters spokesman David Steitz said, “Regardless of budget deliberations, RIFs are not anticipated.”
