NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-1 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

FY 2010 Budget Request Summary 

Message from the Administrator 2 

FY 2010 Budget Summary 3 

Science 5 

Aeronautics 8 

Exploration 10 

Space Operations 12 

Education 14 

Cross-Agency Support 15 

Inspector General 17
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-2 

Message from the Administrator 

Today, I am pleased to release NASA’s FY2010 budget request in the amount of $18.686 billion 

to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system 

and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 

million, about 5 percent, above the amount provided NASA in the FY 2009 Omnibus 

Appropriations Act. 

The FY 2010 budget does a number of things: it supports the Administration’s commitment to 

deploy a global climate change research and monitoring system; it funds a strong program of 

space exploration involving humans and robots with the goal of returning Americans to the 

moon and exploring other destinations; and it supports the safe flight of the Space Shuttle to 

complete assembly of the International Space Station by the Space Shuttle's planned 

retirement. 

With the FY 2010 budget request, we will advance our global climate change research. NASA's 

investment in Earth science research satellites, airborne sensors, computer models and 

analysis already has revolutionized scientific knowledge and predictions of climate change and 

its effects. Using the National Research Council’s recommended priorities for space-based 

Earth science research, we will develop new sensors to support the Administration’s goal of 

deploying a global climate research and monitoring system. 

The budget request also renews NASA’s commitment to aeronautics research to address 

aviation safety, air traffic control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency. And 

NASA’s diverse portfolio of science, technology, engineering and mathematics educational 

activities is aligned with the administration’s goal of improving American innovation and global 

competitiveness. 

Along with the budget release, the White House also announced the launch of an independent 

review of NASA's human space flight activities. The Review of United States Human Space 

Flight Plans will examine our development programs and suggest possible alternatives. The 

goal is to provide options that will ensure the nation’s human space flight program remains safe, 

innovative and affordable in the years following the space shuttle's retirement. During the 

review, work on the Constellation Program will continue. 

The review team will work closely with NASA and seek input from the Congress, the White 

House, the public, industry and international partners as it develops these options. The review 

will be done by a blue-ribbon panel of experts. The panel's results will support an administration 

decision by August 2009 on how to proceed. 

As we move forward into the future, I'm confident that with your expertise and hard work, NASA 

will continue its record of amazing accomplishments in exploration and research. The 

President’s FY 2010 request represents a major investment in this future. 

 Christopher J. Scolese 

Acting Administrator 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-3 

FY 2010 Budget Overview 

NASA’s astronauts and robotic spacecraft have been exploring our solar system and the 

universe for more than 50 years. NASA’s FY 2010 request funds a robust program to continue 

our missions of space exploration and aeronautics research. NASA’s FY 2010 budget request, 

at $18.686 billion, represents an increase of $903.6 million above the amount provided for 

NASA in the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-8), a 5% increase. 

NASA’s FY 2010 budget request supports the Administration’s commitment to deploy a global 

climate change research and monitoring system, funds a robust program of space exploration 

involving humans and robots with a goal to return Americans to the Moon and explore other 

destinations, and funds the safe flight of the Shuttle to complete assembly of the ISS through its 

retirement at the end of 2010. The FY 2010 budget request funds continued use of the ISS to 

enable the Agency to develop, test, and validate critical exploration technologies and processes 

and, in coordination with our international partners, to make the ISS available support other 

government entities, commercial industry and academic institutions to conduct unique research 

in the microgravity environment of space. It will also stimulate private sector development and 

demonstration of vehicles that may support NASA’s cargo and crew requirements. And it 

renews NASA’s commitment to aeronautics research to address aviation safety, air traffic 

control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency. NASA’s diverse portfolio of science, 

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational activities is also aligned with the 

Administration’s goal of improving American innovation and global competitiveness. 

The Agency will create a new chapter of our legacy as we embark on a renewed program of 

human exploration to the Moon and other destinations beyond low Earth orbit. In the summer of 

2009, NASA will participate in a review of planned U.S. human space flight activities with the 

goal of ensuring that the nation is on a vigorous and sustainable path to achieving its boldest 

aspirations in space. The review will examine ongoing Exploration activities as well as 

alternatives to ensure the Nation is pursuing the best technical solution for future human 

spaceflight – one that is safe, innovative, and affordable. NASA also will send a broad suite of 

robotic missions to destinations throughout the solar system and develop a bold new set of 

astronomical observatories to probe the mysteries of the universe, increasing investment in 

research, data analysis, and technology development in support of these goals. 

With the FY 2010 budget request, NASA advances global climate change research. The NASA 

investment in Earth science research satellites, airborne sensors, computer models and 

analysis has revolutionized scientific knowledge and predictions of climate change and its 

effects. Using the National Research Council’s recommended priorities for space-based Earth 

science research as its guide, NASA will develop new space-based research sensors in support 

of the Administration’s goal to deploy a global climate research and monitoring system. NASA 

will deploy these new sensors expeditiously while coordinating with other Federal agencies to 

ensure continuity of measurements that have long-term research and applications benefits. 

With the FY 2010 request, NASA will complete the International Space Station (ISS) and 

advance the development of new space transportation systems and the unique scientific 

research that can be conducted onboard the ISS. NASA will fly the Space Shuttle to complete 

the ISS and then retire the Shuttle. NASA is committed to completing the nine remaining 

scheduled shuttle flights, which we believe can be accomplished by the end of 2010. . Funds 

freed from the Shuttle’s retirement will enable the Agency to support development of systems to 

deliver people and cargo to the ISS and the Moon and explore other destinations. As part of 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-4 

this effort, NASA will stimulate private-sector development and demonstration of vehicles to 

support the Agency’s human crew and cargo space flight requirements. In addition, the Agency 

will continue to utilize the ISS, the permanently crewed facility orbiting Earth that enables the 

Agency to develop, test, and validate critical space exploration technologies and processes, and 

to conduct microgravity research. NASA also will continue to coordinate with international 

partners to make this platform available for other government entities, commercial industry, and 

academic institutions to conduct research. 

The FY 2010 budget request renews NASA’s commitment to a strong national program of 

aeronautics research and technology that contributes to the economic well-being and quality of 

life of American citizens. NASA will renew its commitment to cutting-edge, fundamental 

research in traditional and emerging disciplines to help transform the Nation’s air transportation 

system and to support future aircraft. NASA research will increase airspace capacity and 

mobility, enhance aviation safety, and improve aircraft performance while reducing noise, 

emissions, and fuel consumption. 

Finally, consistent with Administration priorities, NASA is developing plans to stimulate 

innovation and increase investments in technologies for the future while ensuring nearer-term 

Agency commitments are met. 

Budget Authority ($M)

FY 2008 FY 2009 Recovery 

Act

FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

Science 4,733.2 4,503.0 400.0 4,477.2 4,747.4 4,890.9 5,069.0 5,185.4

Earth Science 1,237.4 1,379.6 325.0 1,405.0 1,500.0 1,550.0 1,600.0 1,650.0

Planetary Science 1,312.6 1,325.6 1,346.2 1,500.6 1,577.7 1,600.0 1,633.2

Astrophysics 1,395.6 1,206.2 75.0 1,120.9 1,074.1 1,042.7 1,126.3 1,139.6

Heliophysics 787.6 591.6 605.0 672.6 720.5 742.7 762.6

Aeronautics 511.4 500.0 150.0 507.0 514.0 521.0 529.0 536.0

Exploration 3,299.4 3,505.5 400.0 3963.1* 6076.6* 6028.5* 5966.5* 6195.3*

Constellation Systems 2,675.9 3,033.1 400.0 3,505.4 5,543.3 5,472.0 5,407.6 5,602.6

Advanced Capabilities 623.5 472.3 457.7 533.3 556.5 558.9 592.7

Space Operations 5,427.2 5,764.7 0.0 6,175.6 3,663.8 3,485.3 3,318.6 3,154.8

Space Shuttle 3,295.4 2,981.7 3,157.1 382.8 87.8 0.0 0.0

International Space Station 1,685.5 2,060.2 2,267.0 2,548.2 2,651.6 2,568.9 2,405.9

Space and Flight Support (SFS) 446.2 722.8 751.5 732.7 745.9 749.7 748.9

Education 146.8 169.2 0.0 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 125.5

Cross-Agency Support 3,251.4 3,306.4 50.0 3,400.6 3,468.4 3,525.7 3,561.4 3,621.4

Center Management and Operations 2,011.7 2,024.0 2,084.0 2,119.2 2,142.5 2,166.1 2,189.9

Agency Management and Operations 834.1 921.2 961.2 956.9 964.5 972.3 981.5

Institutional Investments 325.5 293.7 50.0 355.4 392.3 418.7 423.0 450.0

Congressionally Directed Items 80.0 67.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Inspector General 32.6 33.6 2.0 36.4 37.0 37.8 38.7 39.6

NASA FY 2010 17,401.9 17,782.4 1,002.0 18,686.0 18,631.0 18,613.0 18,607.0 18,858.0

 Year to Year Change 2.2% 5.1% -0.3% -0.1% 0.0% 1.3%

 *Following the human spaceflight review, the Administration will provide an updated request for Exploration activities

 reflecting the review's results. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-5 

Science 

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate continues to expand humanity’s understanding of our 

Earth, our Sun, the solar system and the universe with 57 science missions in operation and 32 

more in formulation or development. The Science budget funds these missions as well as the 

research of over 3,000 scientists and their students across the nation. NASA’s request and 

plans for FY 2010 – FY 2013 increases funding for Science by $762 million over the FY 2009 

request. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 4,733.2 4,903.0 4,477.2 4,747.4 4,890.9 5,069.0 5,185.4

 Earth Science 1,237.4 1,704.6 1,405.0 1,500.0 1,550.0 1,600.0 1,650.0

 Planetary Science 1,312.6 1,325.6 1,346.2 1,500.6 1,577.7 1,600.0 1,633.2

 Astrophysics 1,395.6 1,281.2 1,120.9 1,074.1 1,042.7 1,126.3 1,139.6

 Heliophysics 787.6 591.6 605.0 672.6 720.5 742.7 762.6

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 4,706.2 4,441.5 4,482.0 4,534.9 4,643.4 4,761.6 -

 Earth Science 1,280.3 1,367.5 1,350.7 1,250.9 1,264.4 1,290.3 -

 Planetary Science 1,247.5 1,334.2 1,410.1 1,537.5 1,570.0 1,608.7 -

 Astrophysics 1,337.5 1,162.5 1,122.4 1,057.1 1,067.7 1,116.0 -

 Heliophysics 840.9 577.3 598.9 689.4 741.2 746.6 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request 27.0 461.5 -4.8 212.5 247.5 307.4

Reflecting the Administration’s commitment to global climate change research, NASA has 

increased the Earth Science budget for FY 2010 – FY 2013 by $0.9 billion. Including the 

additional resources provided in the FY 2009 appropriation and the Recovery Act, NASA’s Earth 

Science programs will have been increased by almost $1.2 billion over 5 years, a 19 per cent 

increase. NASA’s 15 Earth Science missions in operation provide a large part of the global 

observations used for climate change research in the United States and elsewhere. This year, 

NASA’s Earth Science satellites enabled research to understand how changes both in the 

tropics and in the Arctic sea ice are changing ocean biology globally. NASA also recently 

conducted the first Ice Bridge aircraft campaign to demonstrate a new airborne laser capability 

to bridge the gap in time between ICESats I and II. In FY 2010, NASA plans to launch the Glory 

mission to map atmospheric aerosols and continue the long record of solar influences on 

climate, and the Aquarius mission to provide the first global measurements of sea surface 

salinity. NASA will complete development of the NPOESS Preparatory Project and continue 

development of the Global Precipitation Mission and the Landsat Data Continuity Mission 

(LDCM), and initiate work on development of a Thermal Infra-Red Sensor (TIRS). The launch 

vehicle failure of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) was a significant loss to the climate 

science communities, and NASA is assessing options to recover from that loss. NASA is 

continuing to work aggressively to implement the recommendations of the National Research 

Council Decadal Survey for Earth Science. The first two new missions the Decadal Survey 

recommended, SMAP and ICESat-II, will continue formulation in FY2010, with launches expected

in late 2013/early 2014 and late 2014/early 2015 respectively. The next two, DESDynI and CLARREO, 

will be accelerated and transition to formulation. NASA also expects to issue its first Venture-class 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-6 

Announcement of Opportunity later this year, implementing another decadal survey 

recommendation. 

NASA’s Planetary Science missions continue to return images and data from the far reaches of 

the Solar System. This year, the Mars Phoenix Lander completed its mission, conducting the 

first chemical test providing evidence of water ice on another planet. MESSENGER returned 

stunning imagery of portions of the planet Mercury never before seen. The Cassini spacecraft 

continues to provide un-paralleled science of the Saturnian system; the spacecraft flew within 

25km of Enceladus viewing the ejecting plumes and surface, and data from 19 fly-bys of Titan 

enabled creation of a radar map showing 3-D topography revealing 1,200-meter (4,000-foot) 

mountain tops, polar lakes, vast dunes, and thick flows from possible ice volcanoes. 

Development is continuing on the Juno mission to Jupiter for launch in 2011. NASA and ESA 

jointly announced they will work together on a Europa Jupiter System mission concept as the 

next outer planets flagship effort. The MER rovers continue to study the Martian surface and 

have exceeded their fifth year of successful operations. NASA is continuing development of the 

Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) for launch in 2011 and selected MAVEN, a Mars aeronomy 

mission, as the next Mars Scout mission for launch in 2013. NASA has integrated its lunar 

science research program with the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program into a single Lunar Quest 

Program under the Science Mission Directorate, which includes lunar science missions and a 

new virtual university research collaboration called the NASA Lunar Science Institute. The 

Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) was launched aboard Chandrayaan-1 and has begun making 

scientific observations of the Moon’s composition. Development is continuing on the GRAIL 

mission to map the Moon’s gravity field for launch in 2011. This year, NASA is releasing 

Announcements of Opportunity for both the next New Frontiers and Discovery missions. 

NASA’s request for Planetary Science is $1.3 billion for FY 2010. 

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, and NASA's Astrophysics program will deploy 

exciting new capabilities for studying the cosmic frontier. The Kepler mission, launched in 

March, is NASA's first mission dedicated to the search for Earth-like planets in our galaxy. ESA 

will launch the Herschel and Planck missions in May, carrying several NASA instruments, to 

study the far-infrared sky and the cosmic microwave background. The final Hubble Space 

Telescope serving mission aboard STS-125, scheduled for launch May 12, will upgrade the 

observatory to its peak scientific performance. In November, NASA plans to launch the Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) as part of its highly successful Explorer Program, 

following on the recent successes of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (launched as 

GLAST in July 2008), which has provided the best-ever view of the gamma-ray sky revealing 

energetic sources in our solar system, our galaxy, and galaxies billions of light-years away. 

Development is continuing on the James Webb Space Telescope, which passed its 

Confirmation Review in 2008 and has an Agency commitment to launch in 2014. Development 

continues on the NuSTAR mission to study black holes for launch in 2011, along with a Soft Xray Spectrometer to fly on Japan’s Astro-H mission in 2013. Development continues on the 

airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA, which will conduct open 

door flight tests in 2009 and early science flights in 2010, with planned full operational capability 

in 2014. Formulation is continuing for ambitious future mission concepts to investigate the 

origins of planets, stars, and galaxies; to search for Earth-like planets around nearby stars; and 

to examine the nature of dark energy, dark matter, gravity waves, and black holes. These and 

other mission concepts are currently under consideration by the NRC’s decadal survey for 

Astrophysics, or Astro2010, which will be completed during 2010, and will provide 

recommendations to NASA on the science community’s highest priority science questions and 

strategic missions for the next decade. NASA’s request for Astrophysics is $1.1 billion for FY 

2010. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-7 

The fleet of NASA Heliophysics missions strategically placed throughout the solar system is 

providing researchers the first ever solar system-wide view of solar influences on the Earth and 

other planets, and the dynamic structures of space itself. This virtual “Great Observatory” is in 

place and functioning for the next solar magnetic activity cycle, and has already detected the 

first signs of a new solar maximum anticipated for 2011-2012. By early next year, the launch of 

Solar Dynamics Observatory will add to this fleet the capability to observe the solar atmosphere 

to a depth of one-third of the Sun’s radius to study the flow of plasmas that generate magnetic 

fields and the sudden changes that produce coronal mass ejections that we experience as 

space weather. Also this year, NASA plans to select two Small Explorer (SMEX) missions in 

response to an Announcement of Opportunity issued in 2008, which could be either 

Heliophysics or Astrophysics missions depending on the proposals selected. Development of 

the Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission to study the interactions of space weather events with 

Earth’s magnetic field is continuing for launch in 2012, as well as the Magnetosphere MultiScale mission to observe the processes of magnetic reconnection, energetic particle 

acceleration, and turbulence in Earth’s magnetosphere for launch in 2014. Finally, NASA is 

continuing early formulation work on the Solar Probe-Plus mission that will travel into, and 

sample, the near-Sun environment to probe the origins of the solar wind. NASA’s request for 

Heliophysics is $0.6 billion in FY 2010. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-8 

Aeronautics 

Over the past year, NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate has continued to pursue 

long-term, innovative, and cutting-edge research that develops revolutionary tools, concepts, 

and technologies to enable a safer, more flexible, environmentally friendly, and more efficient 

national air transportation system. NASA Aeronautics Research also plays a vital role in 

supporting NASA’s human and robotic re-entry vehicle research. NASA’s request for 

Aeronautics is $507 million in FY 2010, with an increase of $247 million for FY 2010 – FY 2013. 

Including the additional resources provide in the FY 2009 appropriation and the Recovery Act, 

NASA’s Aeronautics programs will have been increased by $450 million over 5 years, a 20% 

increase. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 511.4 650.0 507.0 514.0 521.0 529.0 536.0

 Aeronautics 511.4 650.0 507.0 514.0 521.0 529.0 536.0

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 511.7 446.5 447.5 452.4 456.7 467.7 -

 Aeronautics 446.5 447.5 452.4 456.7 467.7 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request -0.3 203.5 59.5 61.6 64.3 61.3

A primary goal across Aeronautics Research programs is to establish strong partnerships with 

industry, academia, and other government agencies in order to enable significant advancement 

in our Nation’s aeronautical expertise. NASA has put many mechanisms in place to engage 

academia and industry, including industry working groups and technical interchange meetings at 

the program and project level, Space Act Agreements (SAAs) for cooperative partnerships, and 

the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) process that provides for full and open competition 

for the best and most promising research ideas. To date, 68 SAAs have been established with 

industry partners across all programs and 375 NRAs have been awarded to academia, industry 

and non-profit organizations. NASA Aeronautics has continued to collaborate with the Joint 

Planning Development Office (JPDO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Air Force, 

Army, and other government organizations. 

NASA’s Airspace Systems Program has partnered with the JPDO to help develop concepts, 

capabilities and technologies that will lead to significant enhancements in the capacity, 

efficiency and flexibility of the National Airspace System. A notable accomplishment is the 

successful completion, by NASA researchers in collaboration with academia and the FAA, of a 

series of human-in-the-loop experiments that explored advanced concepts and technology for 

separation assurance, which ensures that aircraft maintain a safe distance from other aircraft, 

terrain, obstacles, and certain airspace not designated for routine air travel. The technology 

being developed by NASA and its partners is critical to relieving air-traffic controller workload, a 

primary constraint on airspace capacity that is expected to increase in coming years. In the 

future, this Program will continue to develop new technologies to solve important problems such 

as surface traffic planning and control, and initial algorithms for airport arrival and departure 

balancing as well as developing traffic flow management concepts for increased efficiencies at 

the regional and national levels for different planning intervals. 

NASA’s Fundamental Aeronautics Program conducts research in all aeronautics disciplines that 

enable the design of vehicles that fly through any atmosphere at any speed. The program has 

supported the testing of various new concepts that will help enable much improved capabilities 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-9 

for future vehicles. For example, wind-tunnel testing was conducted for several promising 

powered lift concepts. Powered lift concepts increase lifting force on an aircraft at slow speeds 

(e.g., at take-off and landing) without increasing drag under cruise conditions. Successful use 

of the concepts will enable short take-off and landings on runways less than 3000 feet, which 

will increase next-generation air transportation system capacity through the use of shorter fields 

and improved low-speed maneuverability in airport terminal areas. Testing was also completed 

for a Smart Material Actuated Rotor Technology (SMART) helicopter rotor, which offers the 

potential for significant noise and vibration reduction in rotorcraft. Future work includes 

technologies and advanced tools to evaluate the trades between noise, emissions, and 

performance of future aircraft entering service in the 2012-2015 timeframe. 

NASA’s Aviation Safety Program continues to develop tools and technologies to improve on 

today’s incredibly safe air transportation system, while ensuring that future technologies can be 

safely incorporated to the system. Examples of advances that support this development include 

NASA’s ongoing and new research into aircraft icing. For example, with current knowledge we 

cannot extrapolate how ice forms on a straight wing such as found on a turbo-prop to how it will 

form on a swept wing, or a radically new aircraft configuration. The Aviation Safety Program is 

tackling this with a combination of computational models and experiments in NASA’s Icing 

Research Tunnel. We are establishing that, in high and cold flight conditions, ice can form 

deeper in jet engines than previously understood. NASA is working collaboratively with the 

FAA, industry and international partners, such as the National Research Council of Canada, to 

conduct tunnel tests of the underlying physics, to fly our instrumented S-3 Viking into such 

engine icing conditions, and design upgrades to our Propulsion System Lab in which jet engines 

may be tested in detail. Additional future work in Aviation Safety includes addressing gaps in 

validation and verification of critical flight software, developing new data-analysis capabilities to 

mine aviation operational data for safety issues, examining the safety of new vehicle systems 

and structures, and tackling the biggest human factors issues in the NextGen flightdeck. 

NASA’s Aeronautics Test Program (ATP) is focused on ensuring a healthy suite of facilities and 

platforms to meet the nation’s testing needs including the development of new test 

instrumentation and test technologies. As part of its continuous efforts to improve facility 

operational efficiencies, ATP initiated the National Force Measurement Technology Capability, 

to address the severe erosion of NASA’s capability to utilize strain gage balances in wind tunnel 

testing. The National Partnership for Aeronautics Testing, a strategic partnership between 

NASA and the Department of Defense (DOD), recently commissioned a study of governmentowned, mid-to-large supersonic facilities necessary to fulfill future air vehicle test requirements. 

The Program will continue to develop a long-term strategic approach that aligns the NASA and 

DOD facilities to meet future requirements with the right mix of facilities and appropriate 

investments in facility capabilities. 

NASA’s Integrated Systems Research Program (ISRP), a new program effort beginning in 

FY10, has been organized to support the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project, 

a “green aircraft initiative,” that will conduct system research and experiments of promising 

vehicle concepts and technologies that will simultaneously reduce fuel burn, noise and 

emissions. The environmental impacts of noise and emissions are a growing concern and could 

limit the ability of NextGen to meet the projected growth in demand for air transportation. The 

integrated system-level research in this program will be coordinated with on-going long-term, 

foundational research within the three other research programs, and will focus specifically on 

maturing and integrating technologies in major vehicle systems and subsystems for accelerated 

transition to practical application. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-10 

Exploration 

Human space flight is important to America’s political, economic, technological and scientific 

leadership. In the span of a few short years, NASA has taken long strides to formulate 

strategies and programs key to developing a robust program of space exploration. These 

critical steps will allow our Nation to build the next-generation spaceflight vehicles that will 

deliver humans and cargo to the ISS and the Moon, then on to other destinations in our solar 

system. NASA’s FY 2010 budget advances the development of these systems with a $4.0 

billion request for Exploration in FY 2010, which is an increase of five percent from the previous 

plan for FY 2010. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010* FY 2011* FY 2012* FY 2013* FY 2014*

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 3,299.4 3,905.5 3,963.1 6,076.6 6,028.5 5,966.5 6,195.3

 Constellation Systems 2,675.9 3,433.2 3,505.4 5,543.3 5,472.0 5,407.6 5,602.6

 Advanced Capabilities 623.5 472.3 457.7 533.3 556.5 558.9 592.7

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 3,143.1 3,500.5 3,737.7 7,048.2 7,116.8 7,666.8 -

 Constellation Systems 2,471.9 3,048.2 3,252.8 6,479.5 6,521.4 7,080.5 -

 Advanced Capabilities 671.1 452.3 484.9 568.7 595.5 586.3 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request 156.3 405.0 225.4 -971.6 -1,088.3 -1,700.3

 *Following the human spaceflight review, the Administration will provide an updated request for 

 Exploration activities reflecting the review's results. 

In the summer of 2009 NASA will review ongoing Exploration activities as well as alternatives to 

ensure the Nation is pursuing the best technical solution for future human spaceflight – one that 

is safe, innovative, and affordable. The review will develop suitable options for U.S. human 

space flight activities beyond retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2010, leading to a plan that will 

be presented to Congress regarding the core transportation elements and related aspects of a 

U.S.-led human space flight architecture that would support both crew transportation and rescue 

missions to the International Space Station and missions to the Moon and other destinations 

beyond low Earth orbit. 

The review will be led by an independent, blue-ribbon team of experts, drawing extensively on 

resources and personnel from NASA. The review will consider architectures that are capable of 

supporting the two broad mission areas described above and incorporate both government 

and/or commercial elements. It will examine the appropriate amount of R&D and 

complementary robotic activities necessary to make human space flight activities affordable and 

productive over the long term, as well as appropriate opportunities for international participation. 

It will also evaluate what capabilities would be enabled by the potential architectures under 

consideration and will assess the implications of operating the International Space Station past 

2016. The detailed FY 2010 and outyear funding levels for individual exploration activities 

presented in this document are placeholders. Following conclusion of the review, the 

Administration will provide an updated request for exploration that reflects the outcome of the 

review. 

The Constellation Program is working to complete the formulation phase of its projects – in 

particular Ares I, Orion, and major ground facilities. Development work is underway, contracts 

are in place, and civil servants and contractors are working hard to accomplish Constellation 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-11 

Program objectives. The Ares I-X test flight, planned for 2009, will lay the groundwork for 

maturing the Ares I final design prior to its Critical Design Review (CDR). When launched later 

this year from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X will climb about 25 miles 

in a two-minute powered test of first stage performance, as well as the separation and 

parachute recovery system. Work on the Orion project also continues to advance. Later this 

year, Orion’s PA-1 test will take place at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. PA-1 will 

demonstrate the Launch Abort System’s ability to carry crew to safety should there be an 

emergency while the Orion and Ares I stack is on the launch pad. 

As part of the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program and its associated Commercial Orbital 

Transportation Services (COTS) projects, NASA is investing in two funded COTS partners, 

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of El Segundo, California, and Orbital 

Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia. Recently, SpaceX successfully operated the full 

complement of the first stage engines of the Falcon 9, the SpaceX launch vehicle. Orbital 

continues to progress in achieving engineering milestones, and will enter PDR in May. In 

addition, NASA has two non-funded COTS partners. In FY 2009, an additional $150 million in 

Recovery Act funds has been committed to begin the development of commercial crew launch 

capabilities. 

The transition of NASA facilities, infrastructure, property, processes and personnel from the 

Space Shuttle Program to the Constellation Program continues to be a major activity. This joint 

effort between the Space Operations and Exploration Systems Mission Directorates is focused 

on leveraging existing Shuttle and Space Station assets for NASA’s future Exploration activities. 

 

NASA’s Advanced Capabilities activity in the Human Research Program (HRP) and the 

Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP) continues to reduce risk for human 

explorers of the Moon and beyond by conducting research and developing new technologies 

to aid future explorers. The Lunar Precursor Robotic Program will launch the Lunar 

Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and the Lunar Crater Observing and Sensing Satellite 

(LCROSS). LRO will map and image the lunar surface and LCROSS will attempt to identify 

water in a permanently shadowed crater. 

 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-12 

Space Operations 

The President’s FY 2010 budget funds the safe flight of the Space Shuttle to complete the ISS, 

and then retire the Shuttle. NASA is committed to completing the nine remaining scheduled 

shuttle flights, which we believe can be accomplished by the end of 2010. NASA’s request for 

Space Operations is $6.2 billion in FY 2010, an increase of $0.4 billion from FY 2009 enacted. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 5,427.2 5,764.7 6,175.6 3,663.8 3,485.3 3,318.6 3,154.8

 Space Shuttle 3,295.4 2,981.7 3,157.1 382.8 87.8

 International Space Station 1,685.5 2,060.2 2,267.0 2,548.2 2,651.6 2,568.9 2,405.9

 Space and Flight Support (SFS) 446.2 722.8 751.5 732.7 745.9 749.7 748.9

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 5,526.2 5,774.7 5,872.8 2,900.1 3,089.9 2,788.5 -

 Space Shuttle 3,266.7 2,981.7 2,983.7 95.7 -

 International Space Station 1,813.2 2,060.2 2,277.0 2,176.4 2,448.2 2,143.1 -

 Space and Flight Support (SFS) 446.3 732.8 612.1 628.0 641.7 645.4 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request -99.0 -10.0 302.8 763.7 395.4 530.1

NASA and its Russian, Japanese, European, and Canadian ISS partners are working together 

to realize one of the most inspiring dreams of the last 50 years: the establishment of a station in 

Earth orbit for the conduct of various types of research. The recent delivery of the Station’s final 

set of solar arrays and other equipment by the crew of STS-119 represents a key step toward 

this goal. Two significant milestones are now approaching. In May, the ISS will host its first sixperson crew. In June, the STS-127 mission will deliver the third and final component of the 

Japanese Kibo laboratory. The addition of Kibo’s Exposed Facility will join the European 

Columbus module and the U.S. Destiny module to complete the three major international 

science labs on ISS, setting the stage for utilization of ISS as a highly capable microgravity 

research facility. 

The ISS is an unparalleled international cooperative effort and provides a U.S. National 

Laboratory in orbit. Scientists will be able to conduct biomedical and engineering research from 

a unique vantage point. Some of the work will increase our knowledge of the effects of longduration human space flight, which is critical for the design and operation of future human space 

vehicles, including those being developed under the Constellation Program to return U.S. 

astronauts to the Moon and explore other destinations. Other research will not be focused on 

space exploration, but may have significant applications right here on Earth. Medical research, 

for example, may be applicable to the development of vaccines; NASA’s research aboard the 

Space Shuttle and ISS into salmonella has already increased our knowledge in this area. In the 

key areas of energy and the environment, the ISS serves as a daily demonstration of “green” 

technologies and environmental management techniques. The ISS receives 120kW of power 

from its solar arrays to operate the Station and run experiments. The ISS environmental system 

is designed to minimize the amount of mass that has to be launched from Earth to support the 

Station, so recycling is a must. STS-119 supplied ISS with a replacement Distillation Assembly 

for Station’s water recycling system, which is key for supporting a full six-person crew for 

extended periods of time. Given the central role science and technology play in our society, it is 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-13 

important that the United States maintain a leadership role in these fields. The availability of a 

research laboratory in the microgravity environment of space will support this aim. 

NASA is relying on U.S. industry to develop vehicles to deliver supplies and experiments to the 

ISS. In December 2008, the Agency awarded two Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) 

contracts for the provision of this critical capability. Cargo resupply is important for the 

continued viability and utilization of ISS. In addition, the vendors involved will gain valuable 

experience in the development and operation of vehicles that can (1) fly to the ISS orbit; (2) 

operate in close proximity to the ISS and other docked vehicles; (3) dock to ISS; and, (4) remain 

docked for extended periods of time. 

Another important benefit from Space Shuttle missions and ISS research are ultimately reflected 

in the programs’ ability to inspire the next generation of Americans. This was reflected recently 

in the delighted faces of students who participated in the uplinked phone call between President 

Obama and the crews of the ISS and STS-119 on March 24. The ISS will support the 

President’s goal of making math and science education a national priority by demonstrating 

what can be accomplished through science and engineering, and by inspiring both teachers and 

students. 

Space Communications provides the enabling communications services to NASA's human and 

robotic flight missions and addresses future sustainment/upgrade requirements for all the 

Agency's communications networks. Launch Services provides safe, reliable, cost-effective, 

and on-time launch services for NASA and NASA-sponsored payloads using expendable launch 

vehicles. The Rocket Propulsion Test Program reviews, approves and provides direction on 

rocket propulsion test assignments. Crew Health and Safety provides support to the provision of 

medical care for the Astronaut Corps and the Human Space Flight Operations provides trained 

crew members for all NASA human space flight endeavors. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-14 

Education 

In FY 2010, NASA will continue its successes in developing a future aerospace workforce, 

improving the technological competitiveness of our Nation’s universities, attracting and retaining 

students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, and 

engaging the public in NASA’s missions. NASA will accomplish these goals by offering 

competitive research grants to universities, providing targeted educational support to Minority 

Serving Institutions (MSIs), and strengthening curricula at two-year community colleges. 

NASA’s plans to streamline and centralize internship and fellowship application processes will 

realize cost savings and facilitate student access to information while attracting a wider, more 

diverse participant base. The Agency is also seeking new opportunities for student involvement 

in current space and aeronautics research missions and flight projects, including those using 

high altitude balloons, sounding rocket payloads, airborne sensors, and space satellites. NASA 

will further these efforts through a new project, Innovation in STEM Education, which will allow 

the Agency to investigate and offer opportunities for student and faculty to participate in NASArelated research. NASA’s request for Education is $126 million in FY 2010. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 146.8 169.2 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 125.5

 Education 146.8 169.2 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 125.5

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 146.8 115.6 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 -

 Education 146.8 115.6 126.1 123.8 123.8 123.8 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request 0.0 53.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

NASA will further pursue a goal to attract and retain students in STEM disciplines in the 

upcoming fiscal year. Last year, the Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating 

Research & Education (INSPIRE) program engaged over 200 high schools in STEM areas, and 

NASA Explorer Schools conducted instructional and enrichment activities that reached over 

105,000 students. The March 2009 STS-119 mission also provided a unique educational 

opportunity as two Mission Specialists who are science teachers, Joe Acaba and Richard 

Arnold, were part of the crew. NASA Education continues to provide internships, fellowships, 

and research opportunities to help students and educators gain hands-on experiences in a 

range of STEM-related areas. These opportunities provide students with the motivation, 

inspiration, and experience needed to serve the Nation's current and future workforce needs. In 

FY 2008, the Agency provided more than 3,000 summer internships, reached 5,331 students 

through significant research experience or grants, and provided 139 grants to underrepresented 

and underserved institutions. 

NASA will also engage elementary and secondary school and informal education audiences by 

using Earth and deep space observations, the flight experience of Educator Astronaut Dorothy 

Metcalf-Lindenburger aboard STS-131, as well as future missions to the Moon and other 

destinations. New technologies such as social networks, Internet collaborations, a new virtual 

magnet school, and remote control of science instruments will expand and enhance these 

efforts. In FY 2010, NASA also plans to provide an online professional development system for 

students training to become educators, in-service teachers, and informal educators. 

Additionally, NASA will promote continuous public awareness of its mission and improvement to 

STEM literacy by partnering with informal education providers, which allows Agency partners to 

share the excitement of NASA missions with their visitors in meaningful ways. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-15 

Cross-Agency Support 

NASA Cross-Agency Support provides critical mission support activities that are necessary to 

ensure the efficient and effective operation and administration of the Agency but cannot be 

directly aligned to a specific program or project requirement. These important functions align 

and sustain institutional and program capabilities to support NASA missions by leveraging 

resources to meet mission needs, establishing Agency-wide capabilities, and providing 

institutional checks and balances. Cross-Agency Support includes Center Management and 

Operations, Institutional Investments, and Agency Management and Operations. NASA’s 

request for Cross-Agency Support is $3.4 billion in FY 2010. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 3,251.4 3,356.4 3,400.6 3,468.4 3,525.7 3,561.4 3,621.4

 Center Management and Ops 2,011.7 2,024.0 2,084.0 2,119.2 2,142.5 2,166.1 2,189.9

 Agency Management and Ops 834.1 921.2 961.2 956.9 964.5 972.3 981.5

 Institutional Investments 325.5 343.7 355.4 392.3 418.7 423.0 450.0

 Congressionally Directed Items 80.0 67.5

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 3,242.9 3,299.9 3,323.9 3,363.7 3,436.1 3,511.3 -

 Center Management and Ops 2,013.0 2,045.6 2,046.7 2,088.0 2,155.3 2,211.6 -

 Agency Management and Ops 830.2 945.6 945.5 939.8 950.5 961.3 -

 Institutional Investments 319.7 308.7 331.7 335.9 330.4 338.3 -

 Congressionally Directed Items 80.0 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request 8.5 56.5 76.7 104.7 89.6 50.1

Center Management and Operations funds the ongoing management, operations, and 

maintenance of nine NASA Centers and major component facilities. NASA Centers continue to 

provide high-quality support and the technical talent for the execution of programs and projects. 

Institutional Investments funds design and execution of non-programmatic revitalization 

construction of facilities projects, demolition projects for closed facilities, and environmental 

compliance and restoration activities. The Construction of Facilities Program makes capital 

repairs and improvements to NASA's critical infrastructure to improve safety and security and 

improve NASA's operating efficiency by reducing utility usage. NASA continues to right size the 

infrastructure by demolishing facilities that are no longer needed. Emphasis has been placed on 

energy and water conservation. NASA currently has 5 buildings certified under the Leadership in 

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, 3 additional buildings that are built and 

awaiting certification as LEED Silver facilities, and 13 buildings in various stages of design and 

construction as High Performance Buildings expected to be LEED-certified when completed. 

Agency Management and Operations funds the management and oversight of Agency missions, 

programs, and functions, and performance of NASA-wide activities, through the following five 

programs: 

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

management requirements. Agency Management provides for the operational costs of 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-16 

Headquarters as an installation; funding and management of Agency-wide institutional and 

statutory requirements for centralized Agency functions; assessment and evaluation of NASA 

program and mission performance; strategic planning; and independent technical 

assessments of Agency programs. 

• Safety and Mission Success funds activities required to strengthen and enable the 

fundamental and robust cross-checks applied on the execution of NASA's mission, and to 

improve the likelihood for safety and mission success for NASA's programs, projects, and 

operations. The engineering, safety and mission assurance, health and medical independent 

oversight, and technical authority components are essential to NASA's success and were 

established in direct response to the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accident board 

recommendations for independent funding of these efforts. Included under Safety and 

Mission Assurance is the Independent Verification and Validation program. 

• Agency Information Technology Services funds cross-cutting services and initiatives in IT 

management, applications, and infrastructure necessary to enable the NASA Mission and 

improve security, integration and efficiency of Agency operations. NASA plans significant 

emphasis on implementation of five Agency-wide procurements to achieve the following: (1) 

consolidation of IT networks to improve network management, (2) consolidation of 

desktop/laptop computer services and mobile devices to improve end-user services, (3) data 

center consolidation to provide more cost-effective services, (4) Agency public web site 

management to improve access to NASA data and information by the public, and (5) Agency 

business systems development and maintenance to provide more efficient and effective 

business systems. NASA will also continue to improve security incident detection, response, 

and management through the Security Operations Center. 

• The Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) funds leveraged technology investments, dualuse technology-related partnerships, and technology solutions for NASA. IPP implements 

NASA's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer 

Programs which seek out high-technology small businesses to address key technology needs 

for NASA, and facilitates the protection of NASA’s rights in its inventions and the transfer of 

that technology for commercial application and public benefit. IPP is establishing a new 

Innovative Technology Project that is intended to identify and competitively select lowmaturity basic research projects that can enable new and more capable missions in the 

future. IPP manages a Seed Fund to address technology needs through cost-shared, jointdevelopment partnerships and the Centennial Challenges Program to stimulate innovation 

and competition in space operations, exploration and aeronautics technologies of value to 

NASA and the nation through prize contests. Centennial Challenge competitions have 

spurred the creation of new businesses and products, including innovations in pressure suit 

gloves and reusable rocket engines. IPP also transfers NASA technology to industry for 

public benefit; in 2008, 50 new examples of transfer of NASA innovation to the commercial 

market place were publicized in areas such as health and medicine, transportation, public 

safety, consumer goods, homes and recreation, environmental and agricultural resources, 

computer technology, and industrial productivity. 

• The Strategic Capabilities Assets Program (SCAP) funds the costs required to sustain key 

Agency test capabilities and assets, such as an array of flight simulators, thermal vacuum 

chambers, and arc jets, to ensure mission success. SCAP ensures that assets and 

capabilities deemed vital to NASA's current and future success are sustained in order to serve 

Agency and national needs. All assets and capabilities identified for sustainment either have 

validated mission requirements or have been identified as potentially required for future 

missions. 
NASA FY 2010 Budget Request Summary

SUM-17 

Inspector General 

The OIG Office of Audits (OA) conducts independent, objective audits and reviews of NASA and 

NASA contractor programs and projects to improve NASA operations, as well as a broad range 

of professional audit and advisory services. It also comments on NASA policies and is 

responsible for the oversight of audits performed under contract. OA helps NASA accomplish its 

objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the economy, 

efficiency, and effectiveness of NASA operations. 

The OIG Office of Investigations (OI) identifies, investigates, and refers for prosecution cases of 

crime, waste, fraud, and abuse in NASA programs and operations. The OIG's federal law 

enforcement officers investigate false claims, false statements, conspiracy, theft, computer 

crimes, mail fraud, and violations of federal laws, such as the Procurement Integrity Act and the 

Anti-Kickback Act. Through its investigations, OI also seeks to prevent and deter crime at 

NASA. NASA’s request for Inspector General is $36.4 million in FY 2010. 

Budget Authority ($ millions)

FY 2008 

Actual

FY 2009 

Enacted FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

FY 2010 President's Budget Request 32.6 35.6 36.4 37.0 37.8 38.7 39.6

 Inspector General 32.6 35.6 36.4 37.0 37.8 38.7 39.6

FY 2009 President's Budget Request 32.6 35.5 36.4 37.3 38.3 39.2 -

 Inspector General 32.6 35.5 36.4 37.3 38.3 39.2 -

Total Change from FY2009 President's 

Budget Request 0.0 0.1 0.0 -0.3 -0.5 -0.5 -