CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (March 7, 2005) – The Coalition for Space Exploration strongly endorses NASA’s FY 2006 budget request of $16.5 billion. The budget is fully aligned with the Vision for Space Exploration and advances the nation’s agenda for science and discovery.
The spending plan constitutes the responsible and appropriate level of funding necessary to maintain a balance with other national priorities, and reflects a clear set of priorities within the space agency. The Vision for Space Exploration drives NASA toward accomplishing achievable goals on an affordable timeline, using a complementary program of robotic and human exploration.
The Vision begins with returning the Space Shuttle to flight and completing assembly of the International Space Station, which will be used as an exploration research platform. NASA also will develop a new Crew Exploration Vehicle to enable humans to return to the Moon and conduct robotic science missions to explore Mars and beyond. Congress previously funded NASA’s FY2005 budget request of $16.2 billion, which included start up money for several Vision-related programs.
A recent Gallup poll commissioned by the Coalition found that 68 percent of those surveyed support the Vision’s plan, including a majority of both Republicans and Democrats.
For more information about the Coalition, including how to contact members of the Public Affairs Team and the Government Affairs Team, please visit www.spacecoalition.com.
