2018 Budget Highlights 

Ø Provides $19.1 billion to increase understanding of the

universe and our place in it, advance America’s worldleading aerospace technology, inspire the Nation, and

open the space frontier. 

Ø Increases cooperation with industry through publicprivate partnerships, focuses the Nation’s efforts on deep

space exploration rather than Earth-centric research, and

develops technologies that would help achieve U.S.

space goals and benefit the economy. 

Ø Continues leadership in driving commercial partnerships,

which has enabled us to turn over cargo resupply 

services for the International Space Station (ISS) to

American industry and is building toward the imminent

return of the capability to launch astronauts from

American soil. 

1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights (continued)

Ø Continues development of the Orion crew vehicle, 

Space Launch System (SLS), and Exploration

Ground Systems (EGS) that will send astronauts on

deep space exploration missions in the 2020’s and

beyond. 

Ø Invests in space technologies that strengthen our

national security and the industrial base while

contributing to economic development and growth. 

Also enables NASA’s missions by reducing cost and

complexity while increasing capabilities for science

and exploration. 

Ø Supports operation of the ISS to at least 2024, 

providing a unique environment for research on

human health and space operations necessary for

future long-term human missions, expanding

commercial activity in low Earth orbit, and providing

direct benefits to the people of Earth. 

2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights (continued)

Ø Maintains commitment to studying our home planet

and the universe 

Ø Enables our wide ranging science work on many fronts,

which continues to lead the world in its size, scope, and

scientific output. 

Ø Reinvigorates robotic exploration of the solar system,

including funding for a Europa Clipper mission to fly 

repeatedly by Jupiter’s icy ocean moon Europa. 

Ø Maintains a robust Earth Science program while

terminating several missions. 

Ø Supports initiatives that use smaller, less expensive

satellites and/or public-private partnerships to advance

science, in keeping with recent National Academies 

recommendations. 

3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highlights (continued)

Ø Maintains a robust investment in air traffic 

management improvements that will safely 

increase air traffic capacity, reduce flight delays,

and enable safe, robust UAS integration. 

Ø Continues development of the Low Boom Flight

Demonstrator, designed to make supersonic

commercial air travel a reality once again. 

Ø Continues to leverage our unique assets to further

advance our Nation’s educational goals, while

closing out the Office of Education and its 

projects. 

Ø Strengthens cybersecurity capabilities,

safeguarding critical systems and data plus 

continues to support improved overall

management of IT. 4 
	 	

	 	

	 	 	

	 	

	 	

	 	

	 	 	

	 	

	 	 	

	 	

	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	 	

	 	 	 	

	 	 	

	 	

Anticipated Accomplishments 

in FY 2018 

Advanced	Exploration	Systems

Develop prototype	habitats	for

space	exploration through

public-private	partnerships

Exploration Systems

Continuing systems

integration in preparation

for the EM-1	launch

Commercial	Crew

First Commercial Crew Post

Certification Mission planned

for September 2018

James Webb Space	Telescope

Completes its assembly and

testing,	and ships	for launch

in October 2018.

Science Launches in 2018

ICON,	GRACE-FO,	InSIght,	

ICESat-2,	TESS,	and SPP

X-57	Flights Space Technology

Conduct flight tests of a	new Completes Laser Comm

distributed	electric propulsion	 hardware build,	and launches

system and demos Green Propellant

and Deep Space Atomic Clock.

5 
 

-- -- -- --

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FY 2018 Budget Request ($M) 

Fiscal Year 

Actual Enacted Request Notional 

FY 2016 reflects funding amounts specified in Public Law 114-113, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, as executed under the Agency's current FY 2016 Operating Plan. 

FY 2017 Enacted reflects the funding amounts specified in Division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, P.L. 115-31. Table does not reflect emergency 

supplemental funds also appropriated in FY 2017, totaling $184 million. 

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 

19,285.0 19,653.3 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 

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

1,926.6 1,754.1 1,769.1 1,769.1 1,769.1 1,769.1 

1,628.0 1,929.5 1,921.4 1,916.4 1,911.4 1,911.4 

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

620.0 533.7 304.6 197.2 149.8 150.0 

647.2 677.8 687.8 692.8 697.8 697.8 

633.8 660.0 624.0 624.4 624.4 624.4 624.4 

686.4 686.5 678.6 679.3 679.3 679.3 679.3 

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

3,640.8 3,929.0 3,584.1 3,739.7 3,898.2 3,771.5 3,762.3 

355.4 395.0 350.0 520.0 615.1 666.4 687.6 

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

5.4 -- -- -- -- -- --

1,436.4 -- 1,490.6 1,561.3 1,611.4 1,616.5 1,635.2 

2,667.8 -- 2,415.1 2,118.7 1,811.4 1,868.6 1,808.9 

922.7 -- 835.0 852.7 856.4 869.4 898.5 

115.0 100.0 37.3 

2,772.4 2,768.6 2,830.2 2,859.4 2,859.4 2,859.4 2,859.4 

1,987.6 -- 1,992.5 2,036.8 2,036.8 2,036.8 2,036.8 

784.8 -- 837.7 822.6 822.6 822.6 822.6 

427.4 360.7 496.1 368.6 368.6 368.6 368.6 

352.9 -- 408.2 280.7 280.7 280.7 280.7 

74.5 -- 87.9 87.9 87.9 87.9 87.9 

37.4 37.9 39.3 39.3 39.3 39.3 39.3 

19,285.0 19,653.3 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 19,092.2 

Budget Authority ($ in millions) 

NASA Total 

Science 

Earth Science 

Planetary Science 

Astrophysics 

James Webb Space Telescope 

Heliophysics 

Aeronautics 

Space Technology 

Agency Management and Operations 

Exploration 

Exploration Systems Development 

Exploration Research and Development 

Space Operations 

Space Shuttle 

International Space Station 

Construction and Environmental Compliance and 

Restoration 

Construction of Facilities 

Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

Inspector General 

NASA Total 

Space Transportation 

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 

Education 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

Center Management and Operations 

In the outyears, Human Exploration and Operations is held flat at the combined level of the Exploration and Space Operations accounts. 6 
 

 

NASA Mission Launches 

(Fiscal Years 2017 – 2022) 

7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Science 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Earth Science -- $1,754 $1,769 $1,769 $1,769 $1,769

Ø Maintains a robust program of competed Venture-class 

missions. 

Ø Supports formulation and development of ICESat-2, 

GRACE Follow-On, SWOT, NISAR, Landsat 9, Sentinel-6, 

TSIS-1, TEMPO, GEDI, MAIA, ECOSTRESS, OMPS-L, 

TROPICS, and GeoCarb. 

Ø Multi-Decadal Sustainable Land Imaging (SLI) program

provides Land Imaging Technology and System

Innovation. 

Ø Supports initiatives to use smaller, less expensive satellites and/or publicprivate partnerships to advance science in a cost-effective manner, including

cubesats and small satellite constellations. 

Ø Operates 18 additional missions, and the Airborne Science project. 

Ø NASA will receive a new Earth Science Decadal Survey later this year. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth Science (cont.) 

Ø Terminates Carbon Monitoring System and reduces funding for Earth

science research grants. 

Ø Proposes termination of five Earth Science missions —PACE, OCO-3, 

RBI, DSCOVR Earth-viewing instruments, and CLARREO Pathfinder. 

Ø Terminations are due to budget priorities and the need to adjust the

Agency’s budget to match the nation’s current fiscal position. 

9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Dawn	Image	of	Ceres	on	January	13,	2015

Planetary Science 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Planetary Science -- $1,930 $1,921 $1,916 $1,911 $1,911

Ø Continues development of Mars 2020 and formulation of Europa Clipper. 

Ø Supports two new Discovery class missions. 

Ø Lucy – first mission to Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids, fossils of planet formation. 

Ø Psyche – mission to the main asteroid belt, will study what may be the

exposed core of an early planet.

Ø Supports selection of up to 3 missions for Phase

A study from the New Frontiers AO 4. 

Ø Operates 10 Planetary missions. 

Ø Proposes $43 million to change the paradigm for

robotic solar system exploration. Initiative

includes small satellites/Cubesats, life-detection

instruments, and/or commercial partnerships. 

Ø Does not fund a Europa lander mission to

preserve balance in a Planetary program that is 

already supporting two flagship missions (Mars 

2020 and Europa Clipper) 

10 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Astrophysics 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Astrophysics -- $817 $1,046 $1,153 $1,201 $1,200

Ø Continues development of the TESS exoplanet mission for launch by FY2018.

TESS will continue the search for exoplanets, scanning all of the sky for

exoplanets closer to Earth than those found by Kepler. 

Ø Supports the WFIRST mission. 

Ø Supports the next Explorer missions, IXPE and GUSTO. 

Ø Funds STEM Science Activation at $44M. 

Ø Supports nine operating missions and the balloon project. 

11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

James Webb Space Telescope 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Webb $569 $534 $305 $197 $150 $150

Ø Supports the commitment of an

October 2018 launch date. 

Ø Complete integration and testing. 

Ø Conduct testing of the Webb flight

operations system and science

processing system. 

Ø Install ground support equipment at

the launch site in Kourou, French 

Guiana. 

Ø Transport Webb to the launch site! 

12 
 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Heliophysics 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Heliophysics -- $678 $699 $693 $698 $698

Ø Continues development of Solar Probe

Plus (SPP), Ionospheric Connection

Explorer (ICON), and Global-scale

Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD)

all to be launched in FY 2018. 

Ø Continues Solar Orbiter Collaboration 

(SOC) partnership with ESA (FY 2019

launch). 

Ø Operates over 17 Heliophysics missions 

(28 individual spacecraft). 

Ø Supports the Sounding Rockets and

Cubesat projects. 

13 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aeronautics 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Aeronautics $660 $624 $624 $624 $624 $624

Ø Awards a design and build contract for the

Low Boom Flight Demonstrator X-Plane 

that will demonstrate quiet overland

supersonic flight and open a new market to

U.S. industry. 

Ø Advances electric propulsion systems by 

flight testing an all electric aircraft, the X-57. 

Ø Develops key technologies that will integrate UAS operations in the National Air

Space, as well as realize safe, low-altitude operations of small UAS. 

Ø Demonstrates new air traffic management tools that integrate aircraft arrival, 

departure, and airport operations to reduce flight delays and increase air traffic 

capacity. 

Ø Continues execution of the first competitive University Leadership Initiative

awards that enable university leaders to pursue transformative concepts to

overcome barriers facing the aviation industry. 

14 
	 	

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Space Technology 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Space Tech $687 $679 $679 $679 $679 $679

Ø Completes hardware build for the Laser Communications Relay 

Demonstration project and will start system integration and test

to support a 2019 launch readiness date. 

Ø Finalizes hardware development for MOXIE and Terrain Relative

Navigation projects and will begin integration and test to

support the Mars 2020 schedule. 

Ø Continues development of high-powered solar electric

propulsion technologies that will enable greater efficiency in

orbit transfer and accommodate increasing power demands for

satellites. 

Ø Transforms satellite servicing investment to support a nascent

commercial satellite industry as well as application by NASA

and other government agencies. 

Ø Continues to explore pilot opportunities to accelerate small

businesses ability to advance the commercial aerospace sector

and NASA missions through the SBIR/STTR programs. 

Ø Enhances public-private partnerships with industry to explore solutions to common

challenges in areas such as robotics, manufacturing, and materials and by establishing

public-private partnerships through Announcement of Collaborative Opportunity and Tipping

Point solicitations. 

15 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Exploration Systems Development 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

ESD $3,929 $3,584 $3,739 $3,898 $3,771 $3,762

Ø Provides funding for SLS, Orion and EGS to

prepare for Exploration Mission (EM-1), the first

pairing of Orion and SLS and EM-2, the first

crewed mission 

Ø Provides for mating of Launch Abort System

Orion Crew Module and Service Module to 

Ground Operations for final preparation and

stacking at KSC 

Ø Final assembly of the components for EM-1 will

begin with integrating the Interim Cryogenic

Propulsion Stage (ICPS), Launch Vehicle Stage

Adapter (LVSA) and Boosters including the

Solid Rocket Motor Segments 

Ø Validates all EGS software and hardware 

16 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Exploration Research and Development 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

ERD $395 $350 $520 $615 $666 $687

Ø Human Research Program (HRP) is responsible for

understanding and mitigating the highest risks to

astronaut health and performance to ensure crews 

remain healthy and productive during long-duration

missions beyond Earth orbit 

Ø AES pioneers new human spaceflight systems and

technologies, including habitation systems, crew

mobility systems, vehicle systems, autonomous 

systems, and robotic precursors for future human

missions beyond Earth orbit 

Ø AES is using public-private partnerships to

rapidly develop habitation capabilities leading

to a habitat in cislunar space in the mid-2020s 

Ø The Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) will not be

pursued; will begin studies toward an initial

power/propulsion bus for cislunar capability 

and development for operational demonstration

of a solar electric propulsion (SEP) capability 

for future exploration 

17 
 

 

 

 

	 	

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Space Station 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

ISS -- $1,490 $1,561 $1,611 $1,616 $1,635

Ø As the world’s only crewed space-based multinational research laboratory 

and technology test bed, ISS is critical to the future of human exploration

and to learning how to live and work in space 

Ø Focus Areas: 

–	 Enable long-duration human deep space exploration via

research and technology demonstration
 

–	 Enable the development and advancement of a

commercial marketplace in low Earth orbit
 

–	 Return benefits to humanity on Earth through spacebased research and technology development
 

–	 Maintain U.S. global leadership of space exploration 

Ø The National Laboratory includes projects that

support these focus areas, expand the number of

researchers and companies using the ISS, and

enable new public-private partnerships 

18 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

Space Transportation 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Space Trans -- $2,415 $2,118 $1,811 $1,868 $1,808

Ø Continues NASA’s partnership with U.S. commercial

space industry to regain the capability to send

astronauts into space safely, reliably, and affordably 

from American soil by the end of 2018, and continue

to operate systems to transport cargo to and from the

ISS 

Ø Assures U.S. access to the ISS, bolsters American

leadership, and ends our dependence on Russian

spaceflight capabilities for crew transportation 

Ø Enables continued research and technology 

development by providing a stable crew and cargo

flight plan 

Ø Stimulates growth of the space transportation industry 

available to all potential customers, strengthening

America’s space industrial base 

19 
 

 

	 	

 

 

 

 

 

Space and Flight Support 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

SFS -- $835 $852 $856 $869 $898

Ø Continues providing mission critical space communications and navigation

services to customer missions, including human, science, and commercial crew

and cargo missions 

Ø Enables modernization of the Space Network ground

system and Deep Space and Near Earth Networks 

Ø Supports readiness and crew health for all NASA 

human space flight endeavors 

Ø Provides safe, reliable, and cost-effective launch

services for NASA payloads in FY 2018 and launch

vehicle acquisition and advisory services to over 40

NASA scientific spacecraft missions in various phases 

of development 

Ø Continues certification of new commercial launch 

vehicles 

Ø Provides NASA’s rocket testing capability to meet US 

rocket testing requirements and provides valuable

propulsion data to SLS and Orion as they prepare for

EM-1 and EM-2 

20 
 

 

 

 

 

Office of Education 

Ø Proposes to terminate the Office of Education, with $37 million provided for close- out costs. 

Ø The Office of Education has experienced significant challenges in implementing a

focused NASA-wide education strategy, including providing oversight and

integration of agency-wide education activities. An agency-wide approach is in

work as an outcome of NASA’s Education & Outreach Business Services 

Assessment. 

Ø Internships, fellowships, and outreach activities funded outside the Office of

Education are planned to continue. 

Ø SMD’s STEM Science Activation program will continue to focus on delivering SMD

content to learners of all ages through cooperative agreement awards. SMD does 

not intend to take ownership of programs formerly funded by OE, which fall

outside the scope and resources of its STEM Science Activation program. 

21 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	 	

	 	

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

and Construction 

Outyears are notional

($M) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

SS&MS $2,769 $2,830 $2,859 $2,859 $2,859 $2,859

Construction & ECR $361 $496 $369 $369 $369 $369

Ø Safety, Security, and Mission Services 

•	* Funds ongoing operations of NASA Centers and major component

facilities to achieve a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible

workplace.
 

•	* Provides independent technical and safety oversight of NASA

missions and operations.
 

•	* Ensures core services are ready and available for performing

mission roles and responsibilities by optimizing acquisition, human

capital management, budget management, and facilities 

management to maintain a minimum set of capabilities.
 

•	* Provides strategic IT investments to improve security, reduce costs,

and increase efficiency by modernizing systems, increasing

automation, and delivering affordable enterprise-wide solution.
 

•	* Integrates, simplifies, and consolidates infrastructure into a more secure, effective, and efficient environment. 

•	* Strengthens cybersecurity capabilities by safeguarding critical systems and data plus continues to support improved

overall management of IT. 

Ø Construction and Environmental Compliance and Restoration 

•	* Funds repair, revitalization, demolition, and recapitalization projects that reduce the Agency’s footprint and provide

efficient, modernized facilities. 

•	* Invests in energy savings projects to reduce utility usage and costs. 

•	* Constructs new or modified facilities to conduct NASA’s program missions. 

•	* Manages NASA’s environmental clean-up responsibilities. 

22 
23
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acronyms 

•	* AES: Advanced Exploration Systems 

•	* ARM: Asteroid Redirect Mission 

•	* BSA: Baseline Service Assessment 

•	* CLARREO: Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity 

Observatory 

•	* CRS: Cargo Resupply Services 

•	* CYGNSS: Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System 

•	* DSAC: Deep Space Atomic Clock 

•	* DSCOVR: Deep Space Climate Observatory 

•	* DSOC: Deep Space Optical Communications 

•	* ECOSTRESS: Ecosystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer

Experiment on Space Station 

•	* EGS: Exploration Ground Systems 

•	* EUS: Exploration Upper Stage 

•	* EVS: Earth Venture Sub-Orbital solicitation 

•	* GCD: Game-Changing Development 

•	* GEDI: Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation 

•	* GOES: Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 

•	* GOLD: Global Scale Observations of the Limb and Disk 

•	* GPIM: Green Propellant Infusion Mission 

•	* GRACE-FO: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment –

Follow-On 

•	* GUSTO: Galactic/extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic

Terahertz Observatory 

•	* HRP: Human Research Program 

•	* ICESat: Ice Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite 

•	* ICON: Ionospheric Connection Explorer 

•	* ICPS: Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage 

•	* IRMA: In-space Robotic Manufacturing and Assembly 

•	* ISS: International Space Station 

•	* ISS CREAM: ISS Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass 

•	* IXPE: Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer 

•	* JPSS: Joint Polar Satellite System 

•	* JUICE: Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer 

•	* JWST: James Webb Space Telescope 

•	* LCRD: Laser Communications Relay Demonstration 

•	* LVSA: Launch Vehicle Stage Adapter 

•	* LWS: Living With a Star 

•	* MAIA: Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols 

•	* MEDA: Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer 

•	* MEDLI: Mars Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrument 

•	* MoO: Missions-of-Opportunity 

•	* MOXIE: Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment 

•	* NICER: Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer 

•	* NI-SAR: NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar 

•	* OCO: Orbiting Carbon Observatory 

•	* OMPS: Ozone Mapping Profiler Suite 

•	* PACE: Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem 

•	* RBI: Radiation Budget Instrument 

•	* SAGE: Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment 

•	* SBIR: Small Business Innovation Research 

•	* SEP: Solar Electric Propulsion 

•	* SLI: Sustainable Land Imaging 

•	* SLS: Space Launch System 

•	* SMEX: Small Explorer class 

•	* SOC: Solar Orbiter Collaboration 

•	* SPP: Solar Probe Plus 

•	* STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 

•	* STP: Solar Terrestrial Probes 

•	* STTR: Small business Technology Transfer 

•	* SWOT: Surface Water and Ocean Topography 

•	* TDM: Technology Demonstration Mission 

•	* TDRS: Tracking and Data Relay Satellite 

•	* TEMPO: Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution 

•	* TESS: Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite 

•	* 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 

•	* UAS: Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

•	* WFIRST: Wide Field Infra Red Survey telescope (AFTA:

Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets) 24