Reauthorization of NASA for 2009

President George W. Bush signed a bill on October 15 to reauthorize NASA for 2009. The bipartisan bill provides $20.9 billion for NASA programs for fiscal 2009. Included in the bill are $1 billion to accelerate development of human crew vehicles to replace the space shuttle and an 11% increase for science programs. The bill affirms the President's goals of returning American astronauts to the moon and exploration of Mars. It includes language prohibiting NASA from taking any steps until April 30, 2009 that would preclude space shuttle missions after 2010 -- the year the shuttle is set to retire.