spacetoday.net: Stimulus bill includes $1 billion for NASA

Posted: Sat, Feb 14, 2009, 9:37 AM ET (1437 GMT)
US Capitol

Congress approved a nearly $800-billion stimulus package on Friday that includes $1 billion for NASA. That $1 billion includes $400 million set aside for "exploration", without any specific direction for how the money should be spent. Another $400 million is directed towards science programs, specifically earth sciences and supercomputing. $150 million will go towards aeronautics research, including the NextGen air traffic control system under development, with $50 million set aside for repairs to NASA centers damaged by storms like Hurricane Ike in 2008. The final $1-billion figure represented a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the stimulus legislation; the Senate provided $1.3 billion while the House gave only $600 million in its version, including nothing for exploration. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Obama, after which NASA will have 60 days to determine specifically how it plans to spend the money.