Final NASA 2024 spending bill defers decision on MSR funding
What’s going on here? The final fiscal year 2024 spending bill for NASA has been released by congressional appropriators, cutting NASA funding compared to the previous year. The bill defers a decision on funding for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) program. The bill allocates $24.875 billion for NASA, which is a 2% reduction from the agency’s 2023 budget and 8.5% less than what NASA requested for 2024. The MSR program remains uncertain, with NASA slowing down work in response to budget uncertainty, leading to layoffs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the lead center for MSR.
What does this mean? The final NASA spending bill for 2024 indicates a decrease in funding for the agency and delays a decision on the funding for the Mars Sample Return program. NASA’s budget is lower than anticipated, leading to uncertainty within the MSR program and resulting in layoffs at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The bill directs NASA to reassess the MSR program through the MSR Independent Review Board Response Team and report on the recommended path forward within a balanced Science portfolio.
Why should I care? This information is essential for those interested in NASA’s budget allocations and space exploration programs. The final spending bill highlights the challenges and uncertainties faced by the Mars Sample Return program due to budget constraints. Understanding the implications of reduced funding and deferred decisions on space exploration initiatives can provide insights into the prioritization of scientific missions and the impact on NASA’s future projects. Stay informed about developments in NASA’s budget and the potential ramifications for space exploration endeavors.
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