Posted: Wed, Jun 8, 2005, 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)
The full House Appropriations Committee approved a budget bill that would provide full funding for nearly all NASA programs in 2006. The committee approved a $16.5-billion budget for NASA in fiscal year 2006, which begins on October 1 of this year. That amount is $275 million more than the current budget and $15 million more than what President Bush requested. The budget includes adding over $50 million to NASA's aeronautics program to restore it to 2005 levels, as well as $40 million to "partially restore" NASA science programs. While the shuttle program is fully funded, the budget does cut $50 million from exploration programs, according to one report. The budget must still be approved by the full House, while the Senate has yet to take up the NASA budget.

Related Links:

•  Florida Today article
•  Space News article (subscription required)
•  Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press article
•  House Appropriations Committee press release