Congress Allocates Another $1.7 Billion for JWST
https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/final-fy20-appropriations-nasa
Following last month’s enactment of fiscal year 2020 appropriations, NASA’s $21.5 billion budget is increasing by more than $1 billion, with the lion’s share of the boost going to its human exploration program. The agency’s Science Mission Directorate will see a more modest increase of 3%, bringing its budget to $7.14 billion.
Much of the additional science funding will go toward higher spending on NASA’s two flagship space telescope projects, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). Although the Trump administration had proposed cancelling WFIRST, Congress has decided to fully fund it in addition to covering the costs associated with JWST’s recent launch delay. Other science missions are likewise receiving the funding they need to remain on track.
This year’s NASA appropriation was enacted through a package bill. An accompanying explanatory statement provides detailed funding direction and policy guidance on selected matters. Additional direction in the House and Senate reports on their original NASA spending bills will also apply, except where negated by language in the final statement. For summary tables, see the FYI Federal Science Budget Tracker.
Astrophysics
The combined budget for NASA’s Astrophysics Division and the separate JWST account is rising 16% to $1.73 billion. However, outside the increases specified for JWST and WFIRST, astrophysics funding is declining 10% to $796 million. Division Director Paul Hertz has said the level is “adequate” to proceed with the division’s planned programs and projects.
https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/final-fy20-appropriations-nasa
Following last month’s enactment of fiscal year 2020 appropriations, NASA’s $21.5 billion budget is increasing by more than $1 billion, with the lion’s share of the boost going to its human exploration program. The agency’s Science Mission Directorate will see a more modest increase of 3%, bringing its budget to $7.14 billion.
Much of the additional science funding will go toward higher spending on NASA’s two flagship space telescope projects, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). Although the Trump administration had proposed cancelling WFIRST, Congress has decided to fully fund it in addition to covering the costs associated with JWST’s recent launch delay. Other science missions are likewise receiving the funding they need to remain on track.
This year’s NASA appropriation was enacted through a package bill. An accompanying explanatory statement provides detailed funding direction and policy guidance on selected matters. Additional direction in the House and Senate reports on their original NASA spending bills will also apply, except where negated by language in the final statement. For summary tables, see the FYI Federal Science Budget Tracker.
Astrophysics
The combined budget for NASA’s Astrophysics Division and the separate JWST account is rising 16% to $1.73 billion. However, outside the increases specified for JWST and WFIRST, astrophysics funding is declining 10% to $796 million. Division Director Paul Hertz has said the level is “adequate” to proceed with the division’s planned programs and projects.
