National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) drives advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of the Earth. To support this mission, the President's 2012 Budget provides $18.7 billion, which is roughly the same as current levels. Funding focuses on areas that will improve the Nation's aviation and space capabilities, drive the growth of new industries, strengthen our competitive edge in human spaceflight and scientific research, and prepare the next generation of leaders in the field. To maximize funding in a fiscally-constrained time, the Budget also reflects boosts to efficiency of NASA facilities and operational streamlining.

Invests in America’s Global Leadership and Competitiveness

• Maintains the Nation’s commitment to humanity's foothold in space—the International Space Station—bringing nations together in a common pursuit of knowledge and excellence. 
• Initiates development of a heavy-lift rocket and crew capsule to carry explorers beyond Earth's orbit, including a mission to an asteroid—the furthest journey in human history. This investment of $2.8 billion also creates new opportunities for the Nation’s aerospace workforce.
• Embraces partnerships with the commercial space industry and the thousands of new jobs that it can create by investing $850 million partnering with American companies to provide astronaut transportation to and from the Space Station, thus reducing the risk of relying exclusively on foreign crew transport capabilities.
• Invests in the new technologies that will expand the nation’s ability to utilize space and enrich our technical capabilities with $1 billion for space technology research and developments.
• Supports groundbreaking discoveries with $5 billion to continue a program of robotic solar system exploration, new astronomical observatories, and Earth observation, including a probe that will fly through the Sun’s atmosphere and new competitively-selected planetary science missions.
• Utilizes an aeronautics research program to enhance aviation safety and airspace efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of aviation.

Maximizes Use of Taxpayer Dollars

• Boosts efficiency of NASA facilities and finds innovative ways to use NASA assets, including initiating a pilot program to provide NASA Centers and surrounding communities with clean energy through the innovative use of NASA property.
• In addition to the facilities savings, the President's Budget saves over $100 million in administrative costs by streamlining agency operations.