SPACE WIRE
Senate approves 15.3 billion dollar budget for NASA; cuts ISS funds
WASHINGTON (AFP) Nov 19, 2003
The US Senate on Tuesday approved a 15.3 billion dollar 2004 budget for NASA that would cut funding for the International Space Station (ISS) by some 200 million dollars, even as the space agency's overall budget remains unchanged.

The ISS, which normally has a crew of three, has been operating with a reduced crew of two since the United States grounded its shuttle program following the shuttle Columbia disaster. Since then, Russia has been the only country servicing the ISS.

"With the current situation aboard the station of a reduced crew and Russians supplying vehicles for crew and cargo transfer, there are other pressing needs within NASA ... for funds," lawmakers said in a report accompanying the legislation.

"At this time, NASA is unsure as to when the ISS will be operating with a crew of three, it may only be for a few more months or it could be longer than a year," lawmakers said.

"The ISS has reserves of over 250 million and is able to cover this modest reduction," they said.

Lawmakers said a final Senate vote on the bill was expected later this week after reconciling the legislation with similar legislation in the House of Representatives, before being sent to US President George W. Bush for his signature.

Lawmakers reduced by 20 million dollars funding for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter, but increased by 50 million dollars funding for aeronautics research. In their report, lawmakers said they also expect to be kept abreast of developments in the investigation into the Columbia disaster.

The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) report "requires NASA to provide a comprehensive plan within four months regarding response to the CAIB, as well as a 10-year funding profile for all of the Shuttle fleet as safe and the proposed changes ... and if there is a restructuring at NASA, what the long-term implications of a reorganization may be," they said.

The funding bill also included a requirement that the National Academy of Public Administration do a top-to-bottom management analysis of the space agency, in response to the CAIB report which cited NASA management and culture as factors in the Columbia accident.

NASA's budget was included as part of the 124-billion dollar appropriations spending package for the Veterans Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and several independent agencies.

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