NASA Stimulus Activity in Congress Today

NASA to get $1 billion in stimulus, Orlando Sentinel
“At the moment, the $400 million in NASA exploration funds likely would go toward the Constellation program, a new system of rockets and capsules that NASA has designed to replace the space shuttle and return American astronauts to the moon by 2020.”
“Revised
$1 billion as follows:
$400M – Sciences
$400M – Exploration
$150M – Aeronautics
$50M – Cross Agency Support
$2M – IG
The accompanying conference report –
Requires a spending plan be submitted to Congress within 60 days of enactment, to be signed (by the yet unnamed) Administrator
Sciences ($400M) to remain available until Sept. 30, 2010. Funding to be used to accelerate Earth Sciences Decadal missions (climate change), and to increase the agency’s supercomputing capabilities.
No breakout between the two activities. The House bill stipulated that at least $250M shall be for Earth Sciences.
Aeronautics ($150M), to remain available until Sept. 30, 2010. For aviation safety, environmental impact mitigation, and NextGen.
Exporation ($400M), to remain available until Sept. 30, 2010. For “exploration.” No other guidance.
Cross Agency Support ($50M), to remain available until Sept. 30, 2010. “NASA shall give its highest priority to restore NASA-owned facilities damaged during hurricanes (Hurricanes Ike and Gustav) and other natural disasters during CY 2008.”
Inspector General ($2M), to remain available until Sept. 30, 2013.
FLOOR SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2009
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Conference Report to (http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR1:/) H.R. 1 – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Reps. Obey/Rangel/ Waxman Appropriations) (Subject to a Rule)”