The White House has recently announced a budget allocation of $25.4 billion to NASA for the fiscal year 2025, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. However, concerns have been raised as the enacted amount for fiscal year 2024 fell short of the initial request, casting doubt on whether NASA will receive full funding for the upcoming year.
One of the key components of the proposed budget is $7.6 billion earmarked for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a human presence on and around the moon by the end of the 2020s. In addition, funding will support crewed spaceflight efforts closer to Earth, including the development of a vehicle to safely deorbit the International Space Station by 2030.
Furthermore, the budget allocates $2.73 billion for robotic planetary exploration, with a focus on missions such as Dragonfly, a rotorcraft designed to explore Saturn’s moon Titan. The budget is also expected to address issues related to the Mars sample return mission, including cost overruns and scheduling problems.
To offer further insight into the planned budget for the Mars sample return mission in 2024 and 2025, an independent review team is set to release a report at the end of March. This report aims to provide clarity on the mission’s funding and ensure that it remains on track to meet its objectives.
Overall, the proposed budget for NASA in fiscal year 2025 reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing space exploration and scientific discovery. While challenges remain in securing full funding for the agency, the proposed allocations signal a continued investment in NASA’s ambitious goals for the future.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”