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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

AAU / University Community Priorities for Reauthorization of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Top Priority: Restore Science 'Firewall'

For many years, Congress and the Administration protected the science portfolio and missions of NASA from inevitable cost overruns in large human programs, such as the International Space Station and the Shuttle program, through a budgetary firewall. This separation within the budget ensured that NASA's science portfolio was not raided by programs related to the human exploration mission of NASA. This ensured that NASA held onto both its human space exploration mission as well as its science mission. Last year, this protection was dropped and it has resulted and will continue to result in numerous programs being cut or slated for cancellation in the science program due to large budgetary pressures from the Space Station, the Shuttle program, and other large proposed missions.

This virtual firewall should be restored in order to achieve NASA's science mission and the nation's need for space-based observations.

More Here: www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=16910

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I wasn't aware of the "Firewall" relating to NASA funding. This is a multi-part "Doctrine", but I just posted the first article.

Reinstate it!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

House GOP Defends DeLay, Rejects NASA Cut

WASHINGTON - House Republicans beat back a Democratic challenge Tuesday to Majority Leader Tom DeLay, defeating an effort to cut $200 million from NASA's Moon-Mars initiative and spend the money instead to aid local police.

By a 230-196 vote, the House rejected an amendment by Rep. David Obey D-Wis., to transfer $200 million from the space agency to two Clinton-era grant programs that President Bush wants to phase out.

More here: news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050615/ap_on_go_co/congress_spending_3
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C'mon now, great that the NASA budget remains intact, but don't play your pissy politics with space exploration...regardless of political parties!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

House Shoots for Moon, Okays NASA Budget

The House of Representatives passed a multi-agency spending bill yesterday that included all of President Bush's funding request for NASA and plans for future human exploration of the moon and Mars.

The US$57.45 billion Science, State and Justice appropriations bill passed by a 418-7 margin.

The legislation, which approves spending by federal agencies for 12 months starting Oct. 1, includes $16.5 billion for NASA, a 2.4 percent increase from this year.

More here: www.technewsworld.com/story/s73uf1JilXFPVt/House-Shoots-for-Moon-Okays-NASA-Budget.xhtml

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C'mon Senate...chop chop!...

[Centaur]

Thanks for the reminder that the firewall was dropped, Joe, but it was a sham. It was well intended, but unrealistic. It was originally requested by scientists and engineers who understood how space can best be explored and were fearful that the "Buck Rogers" mentality of those whose thinking was still entrenched in the first half of the 20th century would result in all of NASA's budget going to "make work" manned programs instead of practical scientific research with robotic vehicles. The budgetary pretense was similar to the situation in Illinois several decades ago when the public was sold on the idea of a state lottery with the proceeds "earmarked" for public education. In reality, general funds that would have gone to schools was directed elsewhere.

It's the same with Congressmen who were still free to vote to reduce NASA's science budget, if they felt the manned space program was taking too much from other Federal programs. The total Federal budget is not a bottomless pit, at least not if lawmakers have an ounce of integrity. Priorities need to be determined, and there will always be those who feel their pet projects should override the concerns of others. Manned space projects are horrendously expensive. This is not the era for them. The 1960's were - we had no robotics back them. Although we did feel the need to beat the "Commies". Centuries hence, there may again be a necessity for men in space and the technology may be available to make it safe, cheap and feasible. Meanwhile, let's contain our zeal.