Dear Mr. Speaker:

I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed FY 2006 budget amendments for the Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services; the Environmental Protection Agency; International Assistance Programs; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the Small Business Administration. In total, these amendments would not increase the discretionary budget authority proposed in my FY 2006 Budget.

The details of these proposals are set forth in the enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH

NASA Excerpts

FY 2006 Budget Amendment
Agency: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Heading: Science, Aeronautics and Exploration
FY 2006 Budget Appendix Pages: 1073-1075
FY 2006 Pending Request: $9,661,000,000
Proposed Amendment: $168,400,000
Revised Request: $9,829,400,000

This proposal would redirect $168 million to the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account from the Exploration Capabilities account. This would result from a reallocation of $168 million for ISS Crew/Cargo Services from the Space Operations Mission Directorate in the Exploration Capabilities account to the Constellation Systems Theme of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. In addition, $135 million would be realigned within the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account. This would result from a reallocation of $135 million for the Lunar Robotic Exploration Program from the Science Mission Directorate to the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Both changes would be made in order to better align budget and management responsibility.

The proposal would also make programmatic changes within the Science Mission Directorate in the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account. These changes would reallocate funds totaling $98 million across major program areas (known as “Themes”) within the Science Mission Directorate to focus resources on near-term requirements while deferring investments in longer-term activities.

  • The Solar System Exploration Theme would be reduced by $98 million by deferring investments in long-term Mars missions and preparation for human missions to Mars while also increasing investment in near-term Mars exploration needs. These reductions would be made available by cancellation of the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter and the Optical Communications demonstration, and deferral of the planned Mars Sample Return Mission, while increases would be made to fund extended operations of the Mars Exploration Rovers, and to maintain a 2009 launch date for the Mars Science Laboratory.

  • The Universe Theme would be increased by $10 million, with $30 million provided to preserve the option of servicing the Hubble with a Space Shuttle mission until a decision can be made following successful return to flight missions. Most funds for Hubble would come by reducing the Terrestrial Planet Finder investment.

  • The Earth-Sun System Theme would be increased by $88.3 million to fully fund a standalone Glory mission, provide additional funding for extending the missions of currently operating satellites, and maintain the launch schedule for the Solar Dynamics Observatory.

The proposal would also make programmatic changes within the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account, to accelerate development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle. This would be achieved by increasing funding for these activities by $292 million in the Constellation Systems Theme. The source of funds for this increase would be within the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate and would be provided by reducing funding for longer-term technologies to focus on near-term priorities. Specific reductions include $122 million less in the Exploration Systems Research and Technology Theme, $140 million less in the Prometheus Nuclear Systems and Technology Theme, and $30 million less in the Human Systems Research and Technology Theme.

Taken together with the accompanying NASA amendment, the proposed budget totals would not be affected.

FY 2006 Budget Amendment
Agency: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Heading: Exploration Capabilities
FY 2006 Budget Appendix Pages: 1075-1078
FY 2006 Pending Request: $6,763,000,000
Proposed Amendment: -$168,400,000
Revised Request: $6,594,600,000

This proposal would redirect $168 million from the Exploration Capabilities account to the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account. This would result from a reallocation of $168 million in funding for ISS Crew/Cargo Services from the International Space Station Theme of the Space Operations Mission Directorate in the Exploration Capabilities account, to the Constellation Systems Theme of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in the Science, Aeronautics and Exploration account. This redirection would better integrate decisions related to future transportation capabilities for crew and cargo to ISS and for exploration missions by consolidating development activities within the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, to develop the Crew Exploration Vehicle in order to ferry the next generation of astronauts to the Space Station, Moon, and Mars. The International Space Station requires cargo transportation to supplement the Space Shuttle and to conduct operations after retirement of the Space Shuttle, and future human exploration will require cargo transportation separate from the Crew Exploration Vehicle. Realignment will improve NASA’s ability to address these common requirements.

Taken together with the accompanying NASA amendment, the proposed budget totals would not be affected.