Shuttle And ISS Funded, Centennial Challenge Expanded
Just before they left
on their holiday break, senators passed legislation funding NASA's
effort to keep the space shuttle program going, as well as for
continued support of the International Space Station and giving a
much-needed boost to meeting President Bush's call for ambitious
future space exploration programs.
"Our national policy will determine the nation’s role in
future space exploration and its contribution to broad research and
our national security," Texas Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison,
chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science and Space,
said in a statement. "Minimizing the gap in space flight must
be a goal if the U.S. wants to be a leader in space
exploration."
"The NASA Administrator recently announced a new NASA plan which
reduces the gap to as little as one year," added the senator. "I
applaud his recognition of the concerns outlined in my bill and
encourage action to narrow the gap even further."
The legislation authorizes NASA for Fiscal Years 2007 and 2008,
establishes a policy objective of uninterrupted US spaceflight
capability and requires completion of the International Space
Station (ISS).
The legislation also designates the US segment of the ISS as a
national laboratory facility, and the administrator would be
required to outline operations and functions of the ISS national
laboratory activities.
"Designation of the ISS as a national laboratory will expand the
variety of areas to which space research can be applied. Our future
in space has unlimited potential that can be harnessed through
appropriate guidance, oversight and accountability," Senator
Hutchison said.
In addition, the
legislation authorizes $17.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2007 and $18.7
billion in Fiscal Year 2008 in NASA appropriations funding. It
includes language to ensure NASA completes a balanced science plan
and requires a report to Congress every two years.
The legislation also provides for the development of a National
Aeronautics Research Plan to guide the course of future investments
and priorities in this important area of NASA's scientific
activities. It also expands the Centennial Challenge prize program
for private space development, substantially increasing the current
per-competition prize limit of $250,000 to multimillion dollar
amounts.
The bill has been reconciled with the House version, according
to Hutchinson's office, and will now be sent to President Bush to
be signed into law.
"Passage of this legislation marks another endorsement by the
Congress of the nation's Vision for Space Exploration," said NASA
Administrator Michael Griffin. "We appreciate the efforts of the
House and Senate members and their continued strong support of
NASA. America must continue to be the leader in space exploration
as we transition to a new and exciting mission for the American
people."