Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO Marion C. Blakey on the release of the President’s fiscal year 2015 Budget Request for NASA.

Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association is pleased to see that President Obama’s proposed budget request for NASA in fiscal year 2015 continues stable investment in space programs for our nation’s future while also making key investments in aeronautics, science and technology development.  At $17.5 billion, the request is nearly even with last year’s request and is a significant increase over the $16.6 billion NASA received in 2013 under sequestration.

Programs like the International Space Station, James Webb Space Telescope, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the Space Launch System are all making great progress and are strongly backed by both parties in Congress.  While budget details on specific exploration accounts are not yet available, we are encouraged that the President’s request supports human exploration and we look forward to learning more details on the President’s recommendations to increase space investments.  These programs support important and unique developments that will improve life on earth from new medical breakthroughs to amazing scientific discoveries that fuel our understanding of the beginnings of the universe and propel our exploration efforts beyond Earth orbit.

In addition, we strongly support the proposal to extend the space station until at least 2024; the work that is being done there cannot be replicated at any other national laboratory.  Strong investment in the commercial crew program is the quickest way for our nation to restore independent American access to the station and avoid the increasing uncertainties and costs of paying Russia to transport our astronauts.  Finally, NASA’s aeronautics research budget should be fully supported, as it works hand-in-hand with the FAA on the Next Generation Air Transportation System, upgrading our aging national airspace infrastructure and saving billions of dollars in fuel and environmental impacts over the next decades.  Innovations in aviation technology driven by NASA aeronautics contribute to the largest surplus in America’s balance of trade.

AIA urges Congress to fully fund the fiscal year 2015 NASA budget.

CONTACT:  Dan Stohr

(703) 358-1078 office

(703) 517-8173 mobile

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