NASA Asks for IDR123 Trillion to Return US Astronauts to the Moon

VIVA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has asked more than US$8 billion (IDR 123 Trillion) in its Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to return the United States astronauts to the Moon, according to a FY 2024 Agency Fact Sheet released on Monday.

"The FY 2024 budget request for NASA is $27.2 billion (7.1% increase over FY 2023 enacted). Specifically, this budget requests $8.125 billion to return American astronauts to the Moon, including the first woman and first person of color, to establish a sustainable lunar presence and lay the groundwork for humanity’s first crewed mission to Mars," the released stated.

Through the requested funds, NASA seeks to support the continued presence of humans in low Earth orbit with the operation of the International Space Station (ISS) until 2030.

This includes $228 million (IDR 3,5 trillion to collaborate with US industry on commercial space stations that will become available in the late 2020s, in order to initiate transition from ISS after its retirement; and $180 million (IDR 2,7 trillion) for a US deorbit vehicle that will enable the safe and responsible deorbit of the ISS at the end of this decade.

NASA’s budget request also includes $4.525 billion (IDR 69 trillion) for Common Exploration Systems Development to support lunar missions, the release added.

In addition, the requested funding includes $3.235 billion (IDR 49 trillion) for the Artemis Campaign Development to advance lunar exploration capabilities, the release said.

Moreover, NASA asked for $4.535 billion to continue conducting space operations, the release added.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the White House issued a document saying that President Joe Biden's budget proposal for fiscal year 2024 requests $27.7 billion in discretionary budget authority for NASA - an increase of $1.8 billion from the 2023 enacted level.

President Biden will submit his budget proposal to Congress and it will serve as a blueprint for lawmakers in crafting their own budget legislation. The US Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse as it is up to lawmakers to approve all spending levels for government agencies and programs.