National Aeronautics and

Space Administration
FY 2021 President’s Budget Request

• A 21st Century budget worthy of 21st Century space exploration and one of the strongest budgets in NASA’s history

• Invests $25 billion (nearly a 12 percent increase from FY 2020 levels) for America’s 

future in space, while still supporting NASA’s full suite of science, technology, and 

aeronautics work

• Continues progress to the goal of landing the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by 

2024

• Provides the first dedicated funding for a human lunar landing system since Apollo

• Leads the way toward a sustainable presence on the Moon to lay the foundation for operations and 

capabilities that enable the eventual human exploration of Mars

• Continues to lead the expansion of a vibrant low-Earth orbit economy for the United States through commercial and international partnerships

• Supports Science decadal priorities, such as a Mars sample return mission, Europa Clipper, and 

the development of NISAR and SWOT in Earth Science

• Invests in technology development to get astronauts to the Moon, Mars, and beyond

• Advances commercial supersonic aircraft research and invests in unmanned aerial system 

technologies

• Renews / revitalizes infrastructure critical to meet mission requirements and reduce program risk

• Provides technical capabilities and services to enable mission success

2
“The United States will lead an 

innovative and sustainable 

program of exploration with 

commercial and international 

partners to enable human 

expansion across the solar 

system and to bring back to 

Earth new knowledge and 

opportunities. Beginning with 

missions beyond low-Earth orbit, 

the United States will lead the 

return of humans to the Moon 

for long-term exploration and 

utilization, followed by human 

missions to Mars and other 

destinations.”

Space Policy Directive One

Facilitating Humanity’s Next Giant Leap

• This funding request supports a bold Moon-to-Mars 

initiative

• Returning Americans to the Moon 

• Learning to live and work on the Moon

• Translating lessons learned so that the United States has 

capabilities and operational experience for a mission to Mars

• Continues America’s standing as the world’s leader in 

space exploration

• Inspires the next generation of explorers, researchers, 

scientists, and engineers worldwide

3
National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

ORBITERS, LANDERS and ROVERS

MOON

Ranger | Surveyor | Lunar Orbiter | Lunar Prospector

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter | Grail | LADEE

MARS

Mariner | Viking | Mars Observer | Mars Global Surveyor | Mars Pathfinder

Mars Odyssey | Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit & Opportunity) | Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Phoenix Mars Lander | Mars Science Laboratory | MAVEN | INSIGHT | Mars 2020 | Mars Sample Return

*Represents a sample of NASA Moon and Mars missions

4
Doing more than ever before

• Using knowledge and programmatic 

architecture gained from over 60 years 

of institutional space exploration 

experience

• Leveraging commercial partnerships • Partnering with over 120 nations 

through more than 800 international 

agreements

• Utilizing cutting-edge technology and 

manufacturing capabilities

• Achieving success in our Science and 

Technology programs, which lay the 

groundwork for human exploration

5
Moon-to-Mars Strategy

• Gain experience on the Moon to guide future human Mars exploration

• Establishing how to live sustainably on another planetary body

• Determining how long-duration human spaceflight affects astronaut health

• Gaining expertise in developing systems and operations needed for the more 

difficult exploration of Mars 

• Exploring the resources of the Moon and their ability to aid in spaceflight

• Moon-to-Mars is an integrated multi-directorate effort

• Launch astronauts to the surface of the Moon and return them to Earth

• Send robotic missions to both the Moon and Mars

• Develop needed technologies for Moon and Mars exploration

• Enhance Earth-based facilities and capabilities for mission success

6
An Integrated Agency Effort

7

Develop and operate systems that will take humans to the Moon and then to Mars

• Develop and produce spacecraft capable of carrying humans beyond LEO and sustain human presence deep into the solar system 

• Develop lunar surface systems that increasingly enable long duration trips to the Moon and overall surface sustainability 

• Develop and deploy systems to be used on the lunar surface that will also help prepare for the first human Mars surface mission

HEOMD

Deliver technology to enable Moon to Mars in a measured and sustainable way

• Expand access to diverse surface destinations on the Moon and eventually Mars

• Develop technology required to sustainably live and work on the lunar and eventually Mars surfaces

• Enable transformative NASA missions and discoveries with highly capable technologies

STMD

Conduct ground-breaking decadal science and support human exploration objectives

• Deliver science instruments and technology development payloads twice per year using U.S. commercial landing delivery services

• Provide lunar surface mobility beginning in 2022 with robotic rovers to achieve science and human exploration goals and objectives

• Maintain LRO operations for continued science and landing site characterization for robotic and human missions

• Leverage international partnerships for future lunar and Mars robotic missions

SMD

Provide cross-cutting capabilities and services; the enabling foundation for the Artemis program 

• Provide design, repair and renewal of mission-critical facilities to deliver test, training, operational support, and launch infrastructure

• Provide mission critical IT services and capabilities to ensure IT assets and data are protected, accessible and reliable

• Provide business services (e.g., legal, procurement) to facilitate timely execution of Artemis program requirements

• Provide protective services to secure access to NASA facilities, technology and information

MSD

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Artemis Phase 1: To The Lunar Surface by 2024

8
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030B

STMD–Led

SMD–Led

MSD–Led

Foundation Hab, 

Mobile Hab

CLPS

Missions 

Foundation Hab & Mobile Hab 

Deployment to Lunar Surface

GRC Space 

Environment 

Complex

ARC Thermal 

Protection Lab

MAF Roof & Repair

LRO & Mars2020

Mission Enabling CoF

Acq & Tech Authority

Mars 

Sample 

Return

Mars Ice 

Mapper

KSC BFF 

Repairs

JSC B31 

Lunar Curation 

Facility

NASA Exploration: CY 2021- CY 2030

Artemis II

Crewed test flight

Artemis I

Uncrewed test flight + 

13 CubeSats, 7 lunar

Artemis VI

Crew

Artemis VII

Crew 

Artemis VIII

Crew 

Artemis IX

Crew 

Artemis V

Crew

HEOMD–Led

Human Lunar 

Landing

Artemis III

Crew 

VIPER Rover

Artemis IV

Crew

LEO Operations & Research

Gateway Platform 

Operations

LRO & Mars2020

ISRU – PRIME

Lunar Ice to H20

HLS Precision 

Landing

HLS CFM 

Precision 

Landing

NRHO 

Pathfinder

Fuel Cells

Demo 2

Surface 

Robotic Scout 

Fuel Cells

Demo 1

Lunar 

Subsurface 

Mapping

ISRU - End-to-End 

Pilot Plant

ISRU 

Subsystems 

Regolith to O2

Auto Human Assist

In-Space Mfg

Adv EP / Cryo

Surface 

Power CDM

Advanced 

Cryo Fluid 

Management

ISS Commercial Port

Commercial LEO 

Free Flyer

Human Landing 

System Modules & 

Gateway Logistics 

Services

9
NASA Mission Launches FY 2020 – FY 2025

10

U/R Under Review

** Ground-based elements (includes suborbital) block of 5 

missions 

*** Instrument only 

 + Future CRS-2 unknown, will be updated after award of CRS-2 

when cargo delivery capabilities are known

NASA Mission on US ELV

Reimbursable Mission for NOAA

  NASA does not directly manage/control JASD missions. 

LRDs reflected are to the best of our knowledge

Joint NASA-Int'l Partner Mission

Int'l Mission with NASA contribution

Joint NASA-USAF Mission

Joint NASA-Public/Private Partnership

Exploration Systems Development Mission

Commercial Crew Mission

Commercial Resupply Services Mission

Future Commercial Resupply Mission

Aeronautics Mission

✓ Mission successfully launched

X Mission unsuccessful

LBFD First Flight

JPSS-2

GOES-T

JUICE** *

DART

Psyche

VIPER Polar Rover 

(Science and 

Prospecting)

GOES-U

Lucy Exp MO-SunRISE Disc-15

OMPS-L*** AWE MoO*** STP Tech Demo MO

NISAR TRACERS Europa Clipper STP Science MO 

Sentinel-6a PUNCH MEGANE*** IMAP

SWOT EVS-3** Exp MIDEX MO EVC-1

Landsat-9 MAIA MoO*** Astro MoO-2*** EVS-4**

✓ ICON GUSTO*** EMIT MoO*** SPHEREx EVM-3

Mars 2020 XRISM*** PREFIRE MoO*** Future Cargo+ Astro MoO-3***

ExoMars Rover*** Euclid*** TSIS-2 MoO*** Future Cargo+ Astro SMEX-2

Solar Orb*** TEMPO MoO*** IXPE GeoCarb Future Cargo+ Future Cargo+

CCtCap- Future Comm 

Crew U/R TROPICS SpaceX-26 CRS2 Future Cargo+ Future Cargo+ Future Cargo+

SpaceX-21 CRS2 Webb NG-16 CRS2 Future Cargo+ Future Comm Crew Future Cargo+

SpaceX-20 CRS NG-15 CRS2 NG-17 CRS2 Future Cargo+ Future Comm Crew Future Cargo+

✓ SpaceX-19 CRS NG-14 CRS2 SpaceX-25 CRS2 SNC-2 CRS2 Lunar Descent Element - 

CLV Future Comm Crew

NG-13 CRS2 SNC-1 CRS2 SpaceX-24 CRS2 Future Comm Crew Lunar Ascent Element - 

CLV Future Comm Crew

CCtCap- SpaceX 

crewed flight test U/R SpaceX-23 CRS2 Future Comm Crew Future Comm Crew Lunar Tranfer Element - CLV Surface Logistics - CLV

✓ NG-12 CRS2 SpaceX-22 CRS2 Future Comm Crew Gateway PPE - CLV Surface Logistics - CLV Lunar Descent Element - 

CLV

CCtCap - Boeing 

crewed flight test U/R Future Comm Crew LOFTID Gateway HALO - CLV Artemis-III Crew- SLS Block 1 (ICPS)

Lunar Ascent Element - 

CLV

✓ CCtCap - Boeing 

orbital flight test Future Comm Crew PRIME

Artemis-II Crew - SLS 

Block 1 (ICPS, Lunar 

Flyby) U/R

HLS CFM Lunar Tranfer Element - 

CLV 

TDM TRN*** Mars2020 LCRD SEP*** Gateway PPE Fuel Cells - Demo 1 ISRU Subsystems 

Regolith to O2

Artemis-IV Crew- SLS 

Block 1

TDM MOXIE*** 

Mars2020

Artemis-I UncrewedSLS Block 1 (ICPS) U/R DSOC*** Psyche Archinaut (OSAM2) SPIDER (OSAM1) Fuel Cells - Demo 2

FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025

Notional

Dates reflect Agency Baseline Commitments or updated Agency schedules and may include schedule margin beyond any manifested launch dates

The Budget proposes launching Europa Clipper on a commercial launch vehicle as early as 2024. Using an SLS rocket would result in a later launch date and cost $1.5 billion more than a commercial launch vehicle.
11

Continuing Missions

Technology Driving Exploration

Opening Low-Earth Orbit to commercial 

enterprise and continuing research

Unlocking the Mysteries of the 

Universe

Building the infrastructure 

for the future

Transforming Aeronautics Building a diverse STEM workforce by 

engaging students in NASA’s work
FY 2021 Budget Request ($ in Millions)

12

Budget Authority ($M) FY 20191/ FY 20202/ FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Deep Space Exploration Systems 5,044.8 6,017.6 8,761.7 10,299.7 11,605.1 10,887.7 8,962.2

 Exploration Systems Development 4,086.8 4,582.6 4,042.3 4,011.2 4,071.7 3,767.7 3,634.8

 Exploration Research & Development 958.0 1,435.0 4,719.4 6,288.5 7,533.4 7,120.0 5,327.4

Exploration Technology 926.9 1,100.0 1,578.3 1,765.4 1,906.2 1,954.2 2,038.2

LEO and Spaceflight Operations 4,640.4 4,140.2 4,187.3 4,147.3 4,147.3 4,147.3 4,147.3

 International Space Station 1,490.3 - 1,400.7 1,390.7 1,338.4 1,314.1 1,319.2

 Space Transportation 2,109.7 - 1,877.8 1,771.4 1,826.8 1,848.7 1,843.4

 Space and Flight Support 1,000.4 - 758.7 810.2 782.1 784.5 784.7

 Commercial LEO Development 40.0 15.0 150.0 175.0 200.0 200.0 200.0

Science 6,886.6 7,138.9 6,306.5 6,553.5 6,575.7 6,705.2 6,766.9

 Earth Science 1,931.0 1,971.8 1,768.1 1,878.2 1,846.1 1,834.5 1,984.6

 Planetary Science 2,746.7 2,713.4 2,659.6 2,800.9 2,714.9 2,904.8 2,830.7

 Astrophysics 1,191.1 1,306.2 831.0 891.2 1,000.9 959.7 975.5

 Heliophysics 712.7 724.5 633.1 807.8 841.8 834.1 804.1

 James Webb Space Telescope 305.1 423.0 414.7 175.4 172.0 172.0 172.0

Aeronautics 724.8 783.9 819.0 820.7 820.7 820.7 820.7

STEM Engagement 110.0 120.0 - - - - -

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 2,755.0 2,913.3 3,009.9 2,998.5 2,998.5 2,998.5 2,998.5

 Mission Services & Capabilities 1,729.3 - 1,952.0 1,940.6 1,940.6 1,940.6 1,940.6

 Engineering, Safety, & Operations 1,025.7 - 1,057.9 1,057.9 1,057.9 1,057.9 1,057.9

Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration 372.2 373.4 539.1 530.3 530.3 530.3 530.3

 Construction of Facilities 297.3 - 464.4 455.6 455.6 455.6 455.6

 Environmental Compliance and Restoration 74.9 - 74.7 74.7 74.7 74.7 74.7

Inspector General 39.3 41.7 44.2 44.2 44.2 44.2 44.2

NASA Total 21,500.0 22,629.0 25,246.0 27,159.6 28,628.0 28,088.1 26,308.3

Less Rescission per P.L. 116-933/ - (70.0) - - - - -

Revised Total 21,500.0 22,559.0 25,246.0 27,159.6 28,628.0 28,088.1 26,308.3

1/ - FY 2019 reflects total discretionary funding amounts specified in Public Law 116-006, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, as adjusted by NASA’s FY 2019 Operating Plan.

2/ - The FY 2020 Operating Plan was not finalized at the time of Budget release. Therefore, only specific marks from Public Law 116-93, Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY 2020, as 

well as projects in development, are included in the FY 2020 column.

3/ - FY 2020 reflects net discretionary funding amounts specified in Public Law 116-93, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, which rescinded $70M in FY 2019 unobligated balances 

from the Science account. Per OMB Circular A-11, Appendix A, the rescission is scored in the year it was enacted.
Moon-to-Mars Funding

13

Account FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Deep Space Exploration Systems 5,045 6,018 8,762 10,300 11,605 10,888 8,962

Exploration Technology1/ 464 596 1,211 1,442 1,658 1,756 1,854

Science 721 711 847 1,020 1,075 1,172 1,233

Safety, Security & Mission Services 1,239 1,311 1,375 1,361 1,356 1,347 1,335

Construction & Env. Comp. & Rest. 89 192 176 145 145 145 105

TOTAL Moon-to-Mars2/ 7,558 8,828 12,371 14,268 15,839 15,308 13,489

1/ - Include an estimate of SBIR/STTR for the Moon-to-Mars content

2/ - Totals may not add due to rounding

Budget Authority ($M)
Account Summaries

14
Deep Space Exploration Systems:

Exploration Systems Development

• Key to the Artemis goal of landing the first woman 

and next man on the Moon’s south pole by 2024:

• Space Launch System: production and certification for 

flight will continue at MAF and MSFC along with engine 

and core stage testing at SSC; Key rocket components 

will deliver to EGS at KSC for integration into the final 

flight launch vehicle with the Orion Crew vehicle

• Orion: will continue final assembly and testing of the 

Artemis I crew vehicle at KSC and continue Artemis II 

crew vehicle production

• EGS: will continue to prepare launch infrastructure and 

operations requirements in support of the SLS and Orion

15

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Exploration Systems Development 4,582.6 4,042.3 4,011.2 4,071.7 3,767.7 3,634.8

Moon-to-Mars Content 4,582.6 4,042.3 4,011.2 4,071.7 3,767.7 3,634.8
Deep Space Exploration Systems:

Exploration Research and Development

• Utilizes commercial partnerships to develop and jointly deploy the 

integrated landing system that will transport crew to and from the 

lunar surface 

• Supports Gateway development to support human lunar landings

(Power and Propulsion element, Habitation and Logistics Outpost, 

and the lunar surface suit and system)

• Continues work to identify and address knowledge gaps and deliver 

fundamental capabilities to provide astronauts a place to live and 

work with integrated life support systems, radiation protection, food, 

fire safety, avionics and software, logistics management, and systems 

to manage waste

• Conducts risk reduction studies to develop strategies and identify 

technologies to feed into lunar sustainability and future human 

missions to the Moon and Mars

• Funds continued research to mitigate risks to astronaut health to 

ensure crews remain healthy and productive during long-duration 

missions

16

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Exploration Research & Development 1,435.0 4,719.4 6,288.5 7,533.4 7,120.0 5,327.4

Moon-to-Mars Content 1,435.0 4,719.4 6,288.5 7,533.4 7,120.0 5,327.4
Exploration Technology

• Funds critical technology research and development required to support a 

2024 lunar landing and the long-term success of the Moon-to-Mars campaign

• Develops technology to support sustainable lunar surface operations 

including surface power to enable surviving the 14 day lunar night

• Delivers a drill for demonstration on the lunar surface to enable In Situ 

Resource Utilization capabilities 

• Demonstrates two technologies during the Mars 2020 entry into the Martian 

atmosphere, which also includes the first In-Situ Resource Utilization 

experiment to reach Mars, and technology to provide daily weather reports

• Launches the Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, which provides 

data rates up to 100 times faster than today’s radio frequency-based 

communication systems 

• Delivers Solar Electric Propulsion technologies for Lunar Gateway for 

integration and qualification

• Encourages innovation and commercial participation, bringing together 

stakeholders from academia, industry, small businesses, and NASA workforce 

17

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Exploration Technology 1,100.0 1,578.3 1,765.4 1,906.2 1,954.2 2,038.2

Moon-to-Mars Content 596.2 1,211.1 1,442.0 1,657.5 1,755.5 1,854.0
LEO and Spaceflight Operations:

International Space Station

• Enables long duration spaceflight to support Artemis and Moon-toMars by:

• Conducting human health and performance research and risk mitigation

• Demonstrating extended performance of equipment critical to longduration flight, such as habitation system demonstrations

• Continues ISS Focus Areas:

• Enable development and advancement of a commercial ecosystem in 

low-Earth orbit

• Return benefits to humanity on Earth through space-based research and 

technology development

• Maintain U.S. global leadership of space exploration

• Supports the above focus areas through use of the National 

Laboratory by expanding the number of researchers and companies 

using ISS and enabling new public-private partnerships

18

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020* FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

International Space Station 1,400.7 1,390.7 1,338.4 1,314.1 1,319.2

* - The FY 2020 Operating Plan was not finalized at the time of Budget release. Therefore, only specific marks from Public Law 116-93, Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, FY 2020, as well as projects in development, are included in the FY 2020 column.
LEO and Spaceflight Operations:

Space Transportation

• Continues NASA’s partnership with the U.S. commercial 

space industry to transport astronauts into space safely, 

reliably, and affordably from American soil

• Assures U.S. crew and cargo transportation to the ISS, 

bolsters American leadership, and reduces our dependence 

on Russian spaceflight capabilities for crew transportation

• Enables continued research and technology development on 

ISS by providing stable crew and cargo flight plan

• Stimulates growth of the space transportation industry and 

contributes to the foundation of a more affordable and 

sustainable future for American human spaceflight

19

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020* FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Space Transportation 1,877.8 1,771.4 1,826.8 1,848.7 1,843.4

* - The FY 2020 Operating Plan was not finalized at the time of Budget release. Therefore, only specific marks from Public Law 116-93, Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, FY 2020, as well as projects in development, are included in the FY 2020 column.
LEO and Spaceflight Operations:

Space and Flight Support

• Provides mission-critical space communications and navigation services to customer missions, including human 

spaceflight, science, and commercial crew and cargo missions

• Begins demonstration of commercially provided satellite-based 

communication services to more efficiently meet future NASA 

mission requirements

• Supports readiness and crew health for all NASA human 

spaceflight endeavors

• Provides safe, reliable, and cost-effective launch services for 

NASA payloads and launch vehicle acquisition and advisory 

services to NASA missions in development

• Continues certification of new commercial launch vehicles

• Provides NASA’s rocket testing capability to meet U.S. rocket 

testing requirements

20

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020* FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Space and Flight Support 758.7 810.2 782.1 784.5 784.7

* - The FY 2020 Operating Plan was not finalized at the time of Budget release. Therefore, only specific marks from Public Law 116-93, Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, FY 2020, as well as projects in development, are included in the FY 2020 column.
LEO and Spaceflight Operations:

Commercial LEO Development

• Supports commercial space industry efforts to 

develop a sustained commercial low-Earth orbit 

(LEO) presence

• Continues transition of LEO human space flight 

operations to commercial partners

• Supports development of commercial destinations in 

LEO and capabilities for use by NASA and the private 

sector to enable a seamless transition from ISS

• Increases efforts to develop a commercial space 

ecosystem in LEO 

21

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Commercial LEO Development 15.0 150.0 175.0 200.0 200.0 200.0
Science:

Earth Science

• From the vantage point of space, NASA satellites can view and study our 

home planet and its dynamic system of diverse components: oceans, 

atmosphere, continents, ice sheets, and life

• As recommended in the 2017 Decadal Survey, begins formulation 

activities on the first Earth Science Designated Observable mission

• Continues development of Landsat 9, SWOT, Sentinel-6, TEMPO, NISAR, GeoCarb, MAIA, and TSIS-2

• Supports recommendations made by the interagency Satellite Needs 

Working Group, including 

• Adding a global soil moisture product in the NISAR mission

• Expanding capabilities in Earth Data Systems to support SWOT and JPSS-2

• Selects the next Earth Venture Instrument (EVI-6) 

• Does not support PACE and CLARREO Pathfinder

• Supports over 20 missions in operation in addition to Airborne Science

• Invests in CubeSats/SmallSats that can achieve entirely new science at lower cost

22

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Earth Science 1,971.8 1,768.1 1,878.2 1,846.1 1,834.5 1,984.6
Science:

Planetary Science

23

• To answer questions about the solar system and the origins of life, NASA sends 

robotic space probes to the Moon, other planets and their moons, asteroids and 

comets, and the icy bodies beyond Neptune

• Accelerates the Lunar Discovery and Exploration program 

• Partners with industry to develop instruments and other payloads for 

missions to the lunar surface 

• Formulates the VIPER mission, a lunar rover to investigate volatiles 

• Supports a Mars Sample Return mission launch as early as 2026 and begins 

planning for the Mars Ice Mapper

• Proposes to launch the Europa Clipper as early as 2024 on a commercial launch 

vehicle, which saves over $1.5 billion compared to an SLS rocket

• Continues development of the Lucy, Psyche, and Dragonfly missions

• Continues the Planetary Defense program (e.g., Double Asteroid Redirection Test 

(DART)) and development of a space-based infrared instrument 

• Lands Mars Rover 2020 to begin a new chapter in Mars surface exploration

• Supports operations on 15 Planetary missions

• Invests in CubeSats/SmallSats that help achieve entirely new science at lower 

cost

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Planetary Science 2,713.4 2,659.6 2,800.9 2,714.9 2,904.8 2,830.7

Moon-to-Mars Content 711.3 846.5 1,019.9 1,075.1 1,171.6 1,233.3
Science:

Astrophysics

Having measured the age of the universe, the scientific community now seeks to 

explore further extremes: its birth, the edges of space and time near black holes, and 

gravitational waves. To answer these questions, the Astrophysics Budget:

• Operates Great Observatories, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the 

Chandra X-ray Observatory, alongside 10 innovative missions. Together, these missions account for much of humanity’s accumulated knowledge of the heavens

• Continues development of IXPE, Euclid, GUSTO, XRISM, and SPHEREx

• Releases Announcement of Opportunity for new Astrophysics MIDEX

• Continues support of CubeSats/SmallSats, taking advantage of the technological progress in the public and private sector toward meeting high-priority science goals 

• Consistent with the FY 2020 request this budget does not support the WFIRST 

mission in FY 2021 due to its significant cost and higher priorities within NASA, 

including the need to complete the James Webb Space Telescope

• Does not support the SOFIA mission

24

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Astrophysics 1,306.2 831.0 891.2 1,000.9 959.7 975.5
Science:

Heliophysics

• The Sun wields its influence through its gravity, radiation, solar wind, and 

magnetic fields. Understanding these processes is crucial for our ability to 

live in space as they produce space weather, which can affect human 

technological infrastructure and activities in space

• Supports final design and fabrication of the Interstellar Mapping and 

Acceleration Probe (IMAP), which will help researchers better understand 

the heliosphere, a magnetic bubble surrounding and protecting our solar 

system

• Continues development of new Explorer missions:

• PUNCH - focus on how the Sun's corona generates the solar wind

• TRACERS – observe particles and our planet's magnetic field 

• AWE – understand the relation between terrestrial weather and solar wind

• Continues support for CubeSats/SmallSats, Sounding Rockets, and Space Weather Science and Applications

• Supports operation of 21 additional missions, including ICON, Parker 

Solar Probe, and Solar Orbiter Collaboration

25

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Heliophysics 724.5 633.1 807.8 841.8 834.1 804.1
Science:

James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb will look further back in time than ever 

before by exploring the infrared spectrum

• The budget level: 

• Completes post-environmental sunshield deploy, stow and 

fold activities for launch configuration

• Conducts testing of the Webb flight operations system and 

science processing system

• Transports Webb to the launch site in Kourou, French 

Guiana

• Supports March 2021 launch and start of science operations 

in October 2021

26

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

James Webb Space Telescope 423.0 414.7 175.4 172.0 172.0 172.0
Aeronautics

• Enables U.S. industry to open a new supersonic air travel market that will further 

connect the world 

• Supports the Low Boom Flight Demonstration Mission schedule with an 

anticipated first flight of the X-59 in early 2022

• Advances Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by partnering with industry and reducing 

barriers for a safe and scalable UAM transportation system

• Funds new ground and flight research activities to validate new electric aircraft 

propulsion systems

• Conducts the first flight of the X-57 Maxwell aircraft, NASA’s first all-electric 

experimental aircraft

• Invests in research on artificial intelligence capabilities relevant to Unmanned 

Aircraft Systems traffic management

• Fully funds the Aeronautics Evaluation & Testing Capability Project

27

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Aeronautics 783.9 819.0 820.7 820.7 820.7 820.7
STEM Engagement

• Redirects funds from the Office of STEM Engagement’s portfolio of grants and 

cooperative agreements to NASA’s core mission of exploration 

• NASA headquarters will continue to be accountable for strategic direction and coordination of the 

Agency’s STEM engagement efforts

• Continues fellowships and student STEM engagement activities and learning 

opportunities funded by NASA mission directorates 

• SMD’s Science Activation program will continue to focus on delivering SMD content to 

learners of all ages through cooperative agreement awards 

28
Safety, Security, and Mission Services

• Funds ongoing operations across NASA Centers and major component 

facilities to accomplish NASA’s mission priority of human landing on the lunar 

surface by 2024, a sustainable lunar capability, and robotic precursor and 

technology development missions to Mars

• Provides independent technical and safety expertise in the oversight of NASA 

missions and operations

• Provides mission enabling capabilities that support all NASA missions by 

optimizing acquisition and Small Business services, human capital 

management, budget and financial management, International Relations, 

Protective Services, Equal Opportunity & Diversity Management, and Legal 

and Communications capabilities

• Provides strategic information technology (IT) investments to improve security, 

reduce costs, and increase efficiency by modernizing systems (including financial system modernization), increasing automation, and delivering 

affordable enterprise-wide solutions

• Strengthens cybersecurity resilience capabilities to meet Artemis requirements 

by safeguarding critical IT assets

29

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 2,913.3 3,009.9 2,998.5 2,998.5 2,998.5 2,998.5

Moon-to-Mars Content 1,311.0 1,374.7 1,360.9 1,356.4 1,346.5 1,335.2
Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

• Funds construction of 2 new facilities:

• Vehicle and Aerospace Ground Equipment Maintenance Facility (Armstrong Flight Research Center)

• Engineering and Mission Operations Facility (Ames Research Center)

• Funds major repair/revitalization projects of critical facilities, including: 

• Repair Building 103 Roof System (Michoud Assembly Facility)

• Virtual Motion Simulator (Ames Research Center) 

• Launch Infrastructure Modifications (Kennedy Space Center) 

• Upgrade Compressor Station (Langley Research Center)

• Mechanical Systems Revitalization (Marshall Space Flight Center)

• Potable Water System (Stennis Space Center) 

• Deep Space Network 34-M Beam Wave Guide Antennas (Jet Propulsion Laboratory)

• Astromaterials Curation Annex (Johnson Space Center)

• Funds minor construction projects to build, revitalize, repair or modernize facilities at all NASA Centers

• Invests in demolition projects that reduce the Agency’s footprint to make way for more efficient, 

modernized facilities

• Propulsion and Structural Test Facility (Marshall Space Flight Center)

• Advanced Propulsion Research Facility (Marshall Space Flight Center)

• Test Stands 302 & 303 Demolition - Phase 2 (White Sands Testing Facility)

• Invests in energy savings projects to reduce utility usage and costs, including installing solar systems 

with energy storage at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

• Manages NASA’s environmental clean-up responsibilities, such as at Santa Susana 

30

Budget Authority ($M) FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025

Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration 373.4 539.1 530.3 530.3 530.3 530.3

Moon-to-Mars Content 191.6 176.3 145.0 145.0 145.0 105.0
An Investment in America’s Future

• The FY 2021 President’s Budget Request enables more than flags 

and footprints on the Moon by 

• Maintaining American leadership in space and focusing on the Agency’s core 

missions of exploration, scientific discovery, cutting-edge technology, and 

aerospace investments

• Stimulating economies in every state, creating good paying jobs, and 

improving life every day here on Earth

• Developing technology that can be transferred to American businesses to 

maintain America’s technological leadership

• Inspiring a new generation of explorers and engaging educators, students, 

and the public to explore new frontiers and launch new dreams as part of the 

Artemis Generation

31
Appendix

32
Acronyms (1 of 3)

• AWE - Atmospheric Waves Experiment

• CCtCap – Commercial Crew Transportation Capability

• CECR – Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration

• CFM – Cryogenic Fluid Management

• CLARREO PF - Climate Absolute Radiance and 

Refractivity Observatory Pathfinder

• CLPS – Commercial Lunar Payload Services

• CLV – Commercial Launch Vehicle

• CRS – Commercial Resupply Services

• DART - Double Asteroid Redirection Test

• Disc -Discovery

• DO - Designated Observables

• DSAC - Deep Space Atomic Clock

• DSOC - Deep Space Optical Communications

• EGS – Exploration Ground Systems

• ESD – Exploration Systems Development

• EVC - Earth Venture Continuity

• EVI – Earth Venture Instrument

• EVM – Earth Venture Mission

• EVS - Earth Venture Suborbital

• EVS - Earth Venture Suborbital

• GeoCarb - Geostationary Carbon Observatory

• GOES-T - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system

• GUSTO - Galactic/Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory

• HEOMD - Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate

• HLS – Human Landing System

• ICON - Ionospheric Connection Explorer

• ICPS - Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage

33
Acronyms (2 of 3)

• IMAP - Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe

• ISRU - In-Situ Resource Utilization

• ISS – International Space Station

• IT – Information Technology

• IXPE - Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer

• JPSS-2 - Joint Polar Satellite System-2

• JUICE - Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer

• KSC – Kennedy Space Center

• LBFD – Low Boom Flight Demonstrator

• LCRD – Laser Communications Relay Demonstration

• LEO – Low-Earth Orbit

• LOFTID - Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable 

Decelerator

• LRO – Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

• MAF – Michoud Assembly Facility

• MAIA - Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols

• MEDLI – Mars Entry Descent and Landing 

Instrumentation

• MEGANE - Mars-moon Exploration with GAmma rays and 

Neutrons

• MIDEX - Medium-Class Explorers

• MoO - Missions of Opportunity

• MSD – Mission Support Directorate

• MSFC – Marshall Space Flight Center

• NEOSM – Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission

• NG – Northrop Grumman

• NISAR - NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar

• OMPS-L – Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite-Limb

34
Acronyms (3 of 3)

• OSAM - On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing

• PACE - Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem

• PCM – Post Certification Mission

• PREFIRE - Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed 

Experiment

• PUNCH - Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere

• R&D – Research and Development

• SEP - Solar Electric Propulsion

• SLS - Space Launch System

• SMD – Science Mission Directorate

• SMEX - Small Explorers

• SNC – Sierra Nevada Corporation

• SOFIA - Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

• SPHEREx - Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer

• SSC – Stennis Space Center

• SSMS – Safety, Security, and Mission Services

• STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

• STMD – Space Technology Mission Directorate

• SWOT - Surface Water and Ocean Topography

• TDM – Technology Demonstration Mission

• TEMPO - Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution

• TRACERS - Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites

• TRN – Terrain Relative Navigation

• TROPICS - Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of 

Smallsats

• TSIS - Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor

• UAM – Urban Air Mobility

• VIPER - Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover

• WFIRST - Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope

• XRISM - X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission

35
36