NASA FY 2015 Budget Request 

Actuals Enacted Notional Notional Notional Notional 

FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019

$16.9B $17.6B $17.5B $17.6B $17.8B $18.0B $18.2B

The President's Fiscal Year 2015 budget supports investments that will ensure continued U.S. leadership in 

space, while helping to create new industries and capabilities. 

NASA’s budget supports our new Strategic Plan to drive advances in science, technology, aeronautics and space 

exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality and stewardship of Earth. To send humans to 

an asteroid by 2025, NASA is formulating the first-ever mission to identify and redirect an asteroid. The budget also 

supports the extension of the International Space Station (ISS) to at least 2024, which is essential to sending humans to 

deep space destinations and returning benefits to humanity through research and development. The budget proposes an 

additional $886 million for NASA as part of the Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative, including additional 

funding for Science, Space Launch System/Orion, Technology, ISS, and Commercial Crew. 

Science - $4,972 million 

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Supports the 2018 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and pre-formulation of WFIRST/AFTA, including 

technology development for detectors and coronagraph. 

Continues formulation and development of Solar Probe Plus, the InSight, Mars Rover 2020, and MOMA/ExoMars 

missions to Mars, and the development of the robotic OSIRIS-REx mission to retrieve and return samples from an 

asteroid, as well as pre-formulation work for a potential mission to Jupiter’s moon, Europa. 

Develops and implements plans for measurements of solar irradiance, ozone profiles, and Earth radiation budget, and 

maintains weather and climate change modeling capabilities to enhance forecast accuracy. 

Proposes placing SOFIA into storage due to its high operating cost and budget constraints, but funds about 35 

missions currently preparing for launch, and sustains nearly 60 operating missions. 

Human Exploration Operations - $7,881 million 

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Includes $3,976 million for Exploration and $3,905 million for Space Operations. 

Extends operation of the International Space Station (ISS) to at least 2024, and sustains delivery of cargo to the ISS 

with U.S. developed, commercially procured space transportation elements. 

Supports continued commercial development of U.S. crew transportation systems, to be certified by 2017. 

Maintains development of Space Launch System/Orion on track to send astronauts on deep space exploration missions. 

Furthers Advanced Exploration Systems to develop foundational technologies for life support, deep space habitation, 

advanced space suits including those for extra-vehicular activity with an asteroid, and autonomous space operations. 

Continues mission-critical space communications and navigation services for customer missions. 

Space Technology - $706 million 

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Develops high-powered solar electric propulsion capability to enable orbit transfer for satellites, accommodate 

increasing power demands for satellites, and power the robotic segment of the Asteroid Redirect Mission. 

7 launches over 24 months: Deep Space Atomic Clock (precise navigation); Green Propellant (higher-performing 

alternative to toxic hydrazine); Sunjammer Solar Sail (propellant-free propulsion); and four small spacecraft demos.

Conducts high-altitude, supersonic demo of advanced parachutes and inflatable entry, descent and landing 

technology to bring heavier payloads to Mars surface. 

Through Office of the Chief Technologist, supports technology transfer and commercialization across the agency, 

extending benefits of NASA’s technology investments so they have a direct and measurable impact on daily life.

Aeronautics Research - $551 million 

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Aligns aeronautics research with a new strategic vision to bring transformational advances in the capacity, efficiency 

and safety of the entire air transportation system while minimizing impacts on the environment. 

Expands research that, when transferred to the U.S. aviation industry, can help maintain global competitiveness. 

Education - $89 million 

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Continues Agency implementation of the Administration’s STEM reorganization initiative.

Maintains the Agency’s investment in the Space Grant, EPSCOR, and MUREP Programs.

Cross Agency Support and Construction and Environmental Remediation - $3,225 million 

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Funds Agency and Center critical operations, including facilities and environmental activities. 

Ensures vital assets are appropriately sized to conduct NASA’s mission.