S. 3346 would amend current law and authorize the appropriation of $19.5 billion in 2017 for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The legislation would reaffirm existing policy regarding use of the International Space Station (ISS) and would require NASA to develop a transition plan that would enable greater participation in the ISS and low-earth orbit by NASA’s industry partners and additional partner countries. It also would require NASA to develop propulsion technologies intended to reduce travel time to Mars and a strategic framework for human space flight to Mars.
Assuming appropriation of the specified amount, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $19.4 billion over the 2017-2021 period.
CBO also estimates that enacting the legislation would increase net direct spending by $35 million over the 2017-2026 period; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting the bill would not affect revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting the bill would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits by more than $5 billion in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
S. 3346 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.