NASA's Space Launch System gets record funding from House appropriators

Space Launch System August 2014

Artist concept of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) 70-metric-ton configuration launching to space. SLS will be the most powerful rocket ever built for deep space missions, including to an asteroid and ultimately to Mars.(NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center)

Attention workers on NASA's Space Launch System (SLS): You appear to be "go" for vacation liftoff this summer. Next year's federal budget now coming together in Washington looks like it will deliver another year of strong funding for the big new rocket.

The House Appropriations Committee this week approved a record $2 billion for SLS, which is being developed in Alabama at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. The full House must still give its approval and the budget aligned with the Senate's version.

Senate appropriators have sent a bill to the floor that gives SLS $2.15 billion next year. That's $150 million more than the rocket program got this year.

"This is the kind of commitment and investment America should be making to ensure our space program isn't falling behind the Chinese and other nations," said U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville).

Both budgets show Congress is again rewriting President Obama's space priorities in the last year of his presidency. The White House had requested $1.3 billion for SLS in 2017 and a greater emphasis on Earth science. Overall, the White House wanted to cut NASA by $260 million in 2017.

In their vote this week, House appropriators also approved $1.35 billion for the Orion crew capsule program and funding for three space technology programs sought by Aderholt. Those programs are nuclear thermal propulsion, additive manufacturing (3D printing) and small launch vehicle development. All of those could be useful in a mission to Mars or elsewhere in the solar system.

"If America is not a trailblazer in science and exploration," Aderholt said, "then we will no doubt fall behind other countries. Our country should never surrender the spirit of Lewis and Clark, the Wright brothers, Earhart or Armstrong."

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