 Includes five major science areas

- Planetary Science to explore the planetary bodies of our solar system. Included is funding for a mission 

to Jupiter’s moon Europa, for the InSight and Mars 2020 missions, the recently selected Lucy and 

Psyche missions, the next New Frontiers mission, and radioisotope power systems for deep space 

missions.

- Astrophysics to study the universe and search for Earth-like planets, including WFIRST, TESS, and the 

recently selected IXPE and GUSTO missions.

- James Webb Space Telescope on track for launch in 2018. 

- Heliophysics to study the Sun and its influence throughout the solar system, including launch of Solar 

Probe Plus in 2018 and the Solar Orbiter Collaboration with ESA in 2019. 

- Earth Science to improve modeling of Earth as a system, weather prediction, and natural hazard 

mitigation by making observations of the land, atmosphere, and oceans from spacecraft and suborbital 

platforms. Supports ongoing work on 14 current missions in formulation and development, routine 

selections of new Venture Class projects, and funding to increase the capabilities and uses of Cubesats 

and multi-spacecraft constellations of small scientific satellites.

- Terminates five Earth science missions: PACE, OCO-3, RBI, DSCOVR Earth-viewing instruments, 

and CLARREO Pathfinder. 

 Supports about 100 space missions 

- About 40 missions currently preparing for launch and about 60 operating missions.

- In addition, ongoing flights of sounding rockets, aircraft, and high-altitude balloons. 

 Furthers our search to answer some of humanity’s most profound questions 

- How did our solar system originate and change over time?

- How did life originate, and are we alone?

- How and why are Earth’s climate and the environment changing?

- How did the universe begin and evolve, and what will be its destiny?

- What drives variations in the Sun, and how do these changes affect the solar system and drive space 

weather?

 Invests in developing advanced technologies 

- Providing novel partnership opportunities between commercial partners and NASA through a

CubeSat/SmallSat initiative targeted at specific high-priority science goals.

- Developing optics and detectors to find planets around other stars, instruments to look for signs of past 

or present life on Mars and other planetary bodies, and instruments to take the pulse of our planet. 

- Engaging industry, academia, and other government labs via open, competitive solicitations.

 Supports over 10,000 U.S. scientists 

- Over 3,000 openly competed research awards with universities, industry, and government labs. 

- World-leading research, frequently highlighted on the covers of Science, Nature, and major 

newspapers. 

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Science 5,584.1 5,764.9 5,711.8 5,728.7 5,728.7 5,728.7 5,728.7

Earth Science 1,926.6 4,064.3 1,754.1 1,769.1 1,769.1 1,769.1 1,769.1

Planetary Science 1,628.0 684.8 1,929.5 1,921.4 1,916.4 1,911.4 1,911.4

Astrophysics 762.4 89.0 816.7 1,045.8 1,153.2 1,200.6 1,200.4

James Webb Space Telescope 620.0 569.4 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 150.0

Heliophysics 647.2 357.4 677.8 687.8 692.8 697.8 697.8

FY2018 Budget Request

Science

($ Millions)
 Includes partnerships with a dozen other Federal agencies and sixty other nations 

- Collaborating with other science agencies and agencies that need science results, including NSF, DOE, 

NOAA, FAA, USDA, DOI, EPA, and DOD 

- Partnering with longstanding and newly space-faring nations. 

- Building and launching the nation’s weather satellites for NOAA. 

 Provides benefits to our nation and our planet 

- Leading the scientific exploration of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. 

- Enhancing economic growth and improving quality of life via high-tech jobs and new technologies. 

- Assisting responses to national and international disasters.
This budget will be used to conduct aeronautics research to bring transformational advances in the safety, capacity, 

and efficiency of the air transportation system and to sustain U.S. technological leadership in the aviation industry. 

NASA developed a strategic vision that focused its Aeronautics research to best contribute to the nation’s future 

societal and economic vitality. To reach this vision, NASA’s Aeronautics research has been aligned to focus on 

defined strategic thrust areas. The budget request supports four distinct programs within the Agency’s aeronautics 

portfolio:

 Airspace Operations and Safety Program to develop and explore fundamental concepts, algorithms, and 

technologies to increase throughput and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) safely. The 

program works in close partnership with the FAA and the aviation community to enable and extend the 

benefits of NextGen, the Nation’s program for modernizing and transforming the NAS to meet evolving 

user needs. The program is on the leading edge of research into increasingly autonomous aviation systems, 

including innovation in the management of UAS traffic and other novel aviation vehicles. The program is 

also pioneering the real-time integration and analysis of data to support system-wide safety assurance, 

enabling proactive and prognostic aviation safety practices.

 Advanced Air Vehicles Program to develop the tools, technologies, and concepts that enable new 

generations of civil aircraft that are safer, more energy efficient, and have a smaller environmental 

footprint. The program researches technologies to enable major leaps in the safety, efficiency, and 

environmental performance of subsonic fixed and rotary wing aircraft to meet growing long-term civil 

aviation needs; pioneers low-boom supersonic flight to achieve new levels of global mobility; and sustains

hypersonic competency for national needs. The program works in close partnership with academia and 

industry to pioneer fundamental research and to mature the most promising technologies and concepts for 

transition to the aviation industry. The program also works on reducing the timeline for development and 

certification of innovative advanced composite materials and structures. The program sustains and 

advances key national testing capabilities that support aeronautics research and development.

 Integrated Aviation Systems Program to focus on experimental flight research and the spirit of 

integrated, technological risk taking that can demonstrate transformative innovation. The program includes 

New Aviation Horizon X-plane projects, starting with a low boom flight demonstrator project that will pave 

the way for eventual over-land commercial supersonic flight. The program complements both the Airspace 

Operations and Safety Program and the Advanced Air Vehicle Program by conducting research on the most 

promising concepts and technologies at an integrated system level. The program explores, assesses, and 

demonstrates the benefits of these potential technologies in a relevant environment. The program works in 

partnership with the other Aeronautics programs, academia, the aviation industry, and international partners

as appropriate.

 Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program to cultivate multi-disciplinary, revolutionary concepts to 

enable aviation transformation and harness convergence in aeronautics and non-aeronautics technologies.

The program’s goal is to demonstrate initial feasibility of internally and externally originated concepts 

supporting the discovery and development new transformative solutions supporting the NASA Aeronautics 

strategy. The program enables university leaders to pursue transformative concepts to overcome barriers 

facing the aviation industry through the University Leadership Initiative. The program also supports 

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Aeronautics 633.8 660.0 624.0 624.4 624.4 624.4 624.4

Aeronautics Airspace Operations and Safety Program 147.1 0.0 108.7 107.7 107.1 107.8 109.7

Advanced Air Vehicles Program 254.9 660.0 232.7 223.8 233.2 236.7 241.8

Integrated Aviation Systems Program 128.3 0.0 173.5 178.5 167.8 139.2 132.9

Transformative Aero Concepts Program 103.5 0.0 109.2 114.5 116.3 140.7 139.9

FY2018 Budget Request

($ Millions)

Aeronautics
research and development of major advancements in cross-cutting computational tools, methods, and single 

discipline technologies to advance the research capabilities of all Aeronautics programs.
Space Technology drives exploration by engaging the brightest minds on the toughest technological challenges, 

spurring innovation throughout the aerospace enterprise. 

 Space Technology Research and Development:

- Performs in-space demonstrations of crosscutting technologies including: deep space atomic clock for 

advanced navigation; a safer, higher performing propellant alternative to hydrazine; and up to three

small spacecraft demonstrations of pioneering new technologies. 

- Expands utilization of near-Earth space through satellite servicing and small launch vehicle technology 

development.

- Develops efficient and safe transportation through space with development of a high-powered solar 

electric propulsion system to enable orbit maneuvering for satellites, accommodate increasing power 

demands for satellites, and support future exploration missions including Mars.

- Increases access to planetary surfaces through entry, decent, and landing technologies including 

thermal protection systems, deployable aeroshells and propulsive decent technologies.

- Enables humans to live and explore in deep space by advancing technologies such as life-support, 

thermal management, and surface systems technologies such as in-situ resource utilization and power 

generation enabling deep-space human exploration missions.

- Enables the next generation of Science missions through development and demonstration of Deep 

Space Optical Communications, and the design and initial fabrication to support a late CY 2019 inspace demonstration of space-to-ground laser communications, radiation hardened electronics and 

energy storage for Ocean Worlds surface missions, adaptive optics for direct exo-planet imaging, and 

extreme environment solar power for deep space missions.

- Collaborate with other government agencies and industry partners to mature high performance 

spaceflight computing hardware, robotics for extreme environments, and in-space robotic 

manufacturing and assembly. Notably, the budget restructures a duplicative robotic satellite refueling 

demonstration mission to reduce its coast and better position it to support a nascent commercial satellite 

reservicing industry.

- Grows and utilizes the U.S. industrial and academic base with a steady cadence of early stage

technology activities conducted by the NASA workforce, academia, and businesses large and small 

within the aerospace industry, ensuring development of the innovations and technologies required to 

enable NASA’s future missions.

 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

programs to support research and development performed by small businesses through competitively 

awarded contracts, utilizing small businesses to spark new ideas for the benefit of NASA, U.S. aerospace 

and high tech industries. 

 Agency Technology and Innovation:

- Provides strategy, leadership, and coordination that guides NASA technology and innovation.

- Spurs innovation by providing Agency-level leadership and coordination of the use of prizes and 

competitions.

- Leads technology transfer and commercialization activities across the agency, extending the benefits of 

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

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Space Technology 686.4 686.5 678.6 679.3 679.3 679.3 679.3

Space Technology Research & Development Space Technology 454.0 155.7 466.7 467.4 467.4 467.4 467.4

SBIR and STTR 200.9 530.8 180.0 180.0 180.0 180.0 180.0

Agency Technology and Innovation 31.5 0.0 31.9 31.9 31.9 31.9 31.9

FY2018 Budget Request 

($ Millions)

Space Technology

The FY 2018 PBR includes a transfer to CECR account to support modifications required to Kennedy Space Center 

facilities for Exploration Upper Stage and MAF repairs.

 International Space Station (ISS)

- As the world’s only crewed space-based multinational research laboratory and technology test 

bed, ISS is critical to the future of deep space human exploration.

- Promotes commerce in space through public-private partnerships as new commercialization 

concepts are explored.

- Advances exploration of the solar system and enables scientists to identify and quantify risks 

to human health and performance, develop countermeasures, and develop and test 

technologies that protect astronauts during extended human space exploration.

- Supports unique research and development opportunities in the areas of biological and 

physical sciences processes.

- Maintains the ISS international partnership that has transformed space exploration from an 

effort for the advancement of individual nations to an endeavor for the betterment of 

humankind.

- Supports current and planned Earth and Space Science observation missions.

 Space Transportation

- Continues NASA’s partnership with U.S. commercial space industry to develop and operate 

safe, reliable, and affordable systems to transport crew to and from the ISS and low Earth 

orbit. This activity will allow for increased ISS research by providing an additional crew

member. This strategy will lay the foundation for more affordable and sustainable future 

human space transportation capabilities, bolster American leadership, reduce our current 

reliance on foreign providers for this service, and help stimulate the American aerospace 

industry. 

- Sustains NASA’s ISS cargo supply function in partnership with American private industry.

- Continues to advance commercial spaceflight and the American jobs it creates.

 Space and Flight Support

- Continues providing mission critical space communications and navigation services to 

customer missions, including human, science, and commercial crew and cargo missions. 

- Continues to modernize of the Space Network. 

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Human Exploration and Operations 9,028.5 9,274.7 8,674.9 8,792.5 8,792.5 8,792.5 8,792.5

Space Operations 5,032.3 4,950.7 4,740.8 4,532.8 4,279.2 4,354.6 4,342.6

International Space Station 1,436.4 0.0 1,490.6 1,561.3 1,611.4 1,616.5 1,635.2

Space Transportation 2,667.8 4,950.7 2,415.1 2,118.7 1,811.4 1,868.6 1,808.9

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 922.7 0.0 835.0 852.7 856.4 869.4 898.5

Exploration 3,996.2 4,324.0 3,934.1 4,259.7 4,513.3 4,437.9 4,449.9

Exploration Systems Development 3,640.8 3,929.0 3,584.1 3,739.7 3,898.2 3,771.5 3,762.3

Exploration Research and Development 355.4 395.0 350.0 520.0 615.1 666.4 687.6

FY2018 Budget Request 

($ Millions)

Human Exploration and Operations
- Continues to advance next generation near Earth (TDRS system replacement) and deep space 

(Mars network) architecture options, incorporating new capabilities for on-demand services, 

Delay/Disruption Tolerant networking, and autonomous navigation 

- Infuses new technologies like optical communication to enable significant reductions in 

system acquisition and operations cost while improving network flexibility, scalability, and 

security. 

- Supports the readiness and health of the crew for all NASA human spaceflight endeavors.

- Provides safe, reliable, and cost-effective launch services for five civil sector missions in FY 

2018, as well as gives launch-related support to over 40 NASA scientific spacecraft missions 

in various phases of development. 

- Continues to strategically manage NASA’s rocket testing core capability to meet U.S. rocket 

testing requirements.

 Exploration Systems Development (ESD) 

- ESD programs are creating the first components of an architecture that supports human 

exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Orion, Space Launch System (SLS) and Exploration 

Ground Systems (EGS), which supports their integration and launch, will take us to cislunar 

space. In cislunar space NASA will conduct deep-space missions to test systems and 

concepts, paving the way for long-duration human space exploration while conducting 

research.

- The Orion program will continue final assembly and testing of the EM-1 crew vehicle at 

KSC. 

- The SLS rocket’s production and certification for flight will continue at MAF, and MSFC and 

engine testing will continue at SSC. Key rocket components will deliver to EGS at KSC for 

integration into the final flight launch vehicle with the Orion crew vehicle. 

- EGS will continue to prepare launch infrastructure and operations requirements in support of 

the SLS and Orion programs. Modifications to existing facility and command and control 

systems will be ongoing. 

- NASA will explore approaches for reducing the costs of exploration missions to enable a 

more expansive exploration program.

 Exploration Research and Development

- Advanced Exploration Systems uses a combination of unique in-house activities and publicprivate partnerships to develop and test high-priority capabilities and prototype systems that 

will form the basis for robotic and human deep space missions. Activities focus on robotic 

precursor missions that address knowledge gaps related to potential human destinations, 

advanced in-space propulsion, landing capabilities, in-situ resource prospecting and 

processing, reliable life support, deep space habitation technologies, and capabilities to reduce 

future logistics requirements. 

- Human Research Program fosters a national space biomedical research program that

investigates the greatest risks to astronaut health and performance. The program develops 

essential mitigation countermeasure and technologies to ensure that crews remain healthy and 

productive in the challenging environment of space during long-duration missions beyond lowEarth orbit. 
Directly enables NASA’s portfolio of missions in aeronautics and space exploration. The FY 2018 request 

provides the operations, tools, equipment, and capabilities to safely operate and maintain NASA centers and 

facilities and the independent technical authority required to reduce risk to life and program objectives for all 

NASA missions.

 Center Management and Operations fund ongoing management, operations, and maintenance of 

NASA Centers and associated component facilities, including:

- Center Institutional Capabilities provide the basic support required to meet internal and external 

requirements; effectively manage human capital, information technology, and facility assets; 

responsibly execute financial management and acquisition responsibilities; and provide a safe, 

secure, and environmentally sustainable workplace.

- Center Programmatic Capabilities provide technical facilities, workforce expertise and skills, 

equipment, and other resources required to implement the program at the center and ensure 

engineering and safety oversight of NASA programs. 

 Agency Management and Operations fund the management and oversight of Agency missions, 

programs and functions, and performance of NASA-wide mission support activities, including:

- Agency Management supports executive-based, Agency-level functional and administrative 

management requirements and for the operational activities of Headquarters as a center.

- Safety and Mission Success activities are required to reduce the risk, loss of life and/or mission, in 

our manned and unmanned programs, including engineering; safety and mission assurance; 

independent health and medical oversight; and independent software verification and validation.

- Agency Information Technology Services provide mission-enabling IT capabilities, risk-based 

cyber security, and a sustainable management approach to support NASA’s diverse mission needs; 

and, to invest in critical IT infrastructure and enterprise solutions supporting modernization of 

Agency systems, increased automation, and optimization of enterprise-wide IT service solutions. 

The FY 2018 request increases Agency IT Services to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and 

safeguard critical systems and data. It includes investments in critical IT infrastructure and enterprise 

solutions. Funding will support modernizing Agency systems, increased automation, and optimized 

delivery of enterprise-wide IT service solutions.

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 2,772.4 2,768.6 2,830.2 2,859.4 2,859.4 2,859.4 2,859.4

Center Management and Operations 1,987.6 0.0 1,992.5 2,036.8 2,036.8 2,036.8 2,036.8

Center Institutional Capabilities 1,533.1 0.0 1,533.3 1,561.5 1,561.5 1,561.5 1,561.5

Center Programmatic Capabilities 454.5 0.0 459.2 475.3 475.3 475.3 475.3

Agency Management and Operations 784.8 2,768.6 837.7 822.6 822.6 822.6 822.6

Agency Management 361.9 2,768.6 361.2 376.3 376.3 376.3 376.3

Safety and Mission Success 176.2 0.0 171.4 171.4 171.4 171.4 171.4

Agency IT Services (AITS) 219.8 0.0 278.1 247.9 247.9 247.9 247.9

Strategic Capabilities Asset Program 26.9 0.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0 27.0

($ Millions)

FY2018 Budget Request 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services
- Strategic Capabilities Assets Program provide the skilled workforce and essential preventive 

maintenance to keep core test facilities available to meet the current and future Agency needs and to 

ensure core test facilities are in a state of readiness. 
Directly enables NASA’s portfolio of missions in aeronautics and space exploration. With installations in 14 states, 

we collectively manage $39 billion in constructed assets with an inventory of over 5,000 buildings and structures. 

Our focus is on renewing and sustaining only what is crucial to mission success and divesting of unneeded older, 

costly real property to lower the cost of operations. The budget provides:

 Institutional Construction of Facilities to fund capital repairs and improvement to ensure that center 

infrastructure critical to achieving NASA’s space and aeronautics programs are safe, secure, 

environmentally sound, and operate efficiently. NASA seeks to achieve a sustainable and energy-efficient 

infrastructure by replacing old, inefficient, deteriorated buildings with new, efficient, high-performance 

buildings while reducing our footprint. In addition to critical repair projects, the FY 2018 budget provides

$41.3 million to construct the Goddard Space Flight Center Instrument Development Facility. This state of 

the art facility replaces obsolete facilities to enable the development of new instruments and technology in 

support of Science missions. Construction of the $35.3 million Glenn Research Support Building will also 

replace obsolete facilities, consolidating research spaces into a smaller more efficient footprint. The request 

also provides $16 million to begin restoration of the Kennedy Space Center shoreline. Restoration of the 

shoreline is essential to protect critical launch operations from inland flooding which would halt operations. 

 Programmatic Construction of Facilities projects to carry out specific Science, Exploration Systems, and 

Space Operations programmatic requirements. Funding in this category was realigned from the mission 

directorates to the CECR budget to effect Congressional direction that all NASA construction projects be 

funded in the CECR account. Projects include $90.1 million for modifications required to Kennedy Space 

Center facilities for Exploration Upper Stage, $14.8 million to improve reliability of NASA’s Deep Space 

Network, and $15 million for the Modular Supercomputing Facility at Ames Research Center. Funding 

associated with all program designs and out-year programmatic construction activities remains in program 

accounts. 

 Environmental Compliance and Restoration to support cleanup of hazardous materials and waste 

released to the surface or groundwater at NASA installations, NASA-owned industrial plants supporting 

NASA activities, current or former sites where NASA operations contributed to environmental problems, 

and other sites where the Agency is legally obligated to address hazardous pollutants. 

FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022

Construction & Envrmtl Compl Restoration 427.4 360.7 496.1 368.6 368.6 368.6 368.6

Construction of Facilities 352.9 360.7 408.2 280.7 280.7 280.7 280.7

Institutional CoF 278.2 360.7 280.7 280.7 280.7 280.7 280.7

Programmatic CoF 74.7 0 127.5 - - - -

Environmental Compliance and Restoration 74.5 0 87.9 87.9 87.9 87.9 87.9

($ Millions)

Construction & Environmental Compliance and Restoration