Subcommittee Members Urge Adequate
Funding for NASA Science Programs

Chairman Udall expressed concern over NASA’s budget for science programs.

Subcommittee Members held a hearing on March 13 to further examine the state of NASA’s science programs within the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as portrayed in the agency’s FY09 budget. A quarter of the FY09 goes towards NASA’s science programs – earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science. The FY09 budget allocates $4.4 billion for the SMD programs.

"NASA’s science program has long been one of the agency’s ‘crown jewels’, and it has delivered outstanding results since the dawn of the Space Age 50 years ago—results that have rewritten the scientific textbooks and captivated the imagination of the public both here and around the world.," stated Subcommittee Chairman Mark Udall. "I want to see that record of accomplishment and inspiration continue. However, I’m concerned that NASA’s science program is facing an uncertain future under the funding plan offered by the Administration."

Members stated strong support for the science programs and reflected upon the accomplishments of SMD.

Read more about this hearing >>

Recent Space & Aeronautics Hearings and Markups

May 20, 2008
Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Markup -- H.R. 6063

May 1, 2008
NASA’s Aeronautics R&D; Program: Status and Issues

Subcommittee Jurisdiction

Committee Rule 3(a)(4)

Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to astronautical and aeronautical research and development including:

national space policy, including access to space;
sub-orbital access and applications;
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and its contractor and government-operated laboratories;
space commercialization including the commercial space activities relating to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce;
exploration and use of outer space;
international space cooperation;
National Space Council;
space applications, space communications and related matters;
earth remote sensing policy;
civil aviation research, development, and demonstration;
research, development, and demonstration programs of the Federal Aviation Administration; and
space law.