Budget of NASA

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
NASA logo.svg
Agency overview
FormedJuly 29, 1958; 60 years ago (1958-07-29)
Annual budgetUS$ 19.5 billion (Fiscal Year 2017, about 0.489% of total budget at about US$ 4 trillion)[1]

As a federal agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) receives its funding from the annual federal budget passed by the United States Congress. The following charts detail the amount of federal funding allotted to NASA each year over its past sixty-year history (1958–2018) to operate aeronautics research, unmanned and manned space exploration programs.

Annual budget[edit]

NASA's budget as percentage of federal total, from 1958 to 2017

NASA's FY 2017 budget of $19.5 billion (in nominal dollars) represented 0.47% of the $3.98 trillion United States federal budget during that year.[2]

NASA was allocated $601.31 billion (in nominal dollars) overall from 1958 to 2018. According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Air Force Almanac, when measured in real terms (adjusted for inflation in today's current-value dollars), the total, cumulative figure to date would equal $1.32 trillion, an average of $22.03 billion per year over its sixty-year history. NASA's proposed 2018 budget is $20.736 billion in 2018 dollars -- roughly equal to NASA's 1963 budget of $2.552 billion. However, as a percentage of federal spending, NASA's budget is significantly lower than in 1963.

History of NASA's annual budget (millions of US dollars)
Calendar
Year 		NASA budget
Nominal Dollars
(Millions) 		% of Fed Budget[3][4] 2014 Constant Dollars
(Millions)
1958 89 0.1% 732
1959 145 0.2% 1,185
1960 401 0.5% 3,222
1961 744 0.9% 5,918
1962 1,257 1.18% 9,900
1963 2,552 2.29% 19,836
1964 4,171 3.52% 32,002
1965 5,092 4.31% 38,448
1966 5,933 4.41% 43,554
1967 5,425 3.45% 38,633
1968 4,722 2.65% 32,274
1969 4,251 2.31% 27,550
1970 3,752 1.92% 23,000
1971 3,382 1.61% 19,862
1972 3,423 1.48% 19,477
1973 3,312 1.35% 17,742
1974 3,255 1.21% 15,704
1975 3,269 0.98% 14,452
1976 3,671 0.99% 15,345
1977 4,002 0.98% 15,707
1978 4,164 0.91% 15,190
1979 4,380 0.87% 14,349
1980 4,959 0.84% 14,314
1981 5,537 0.82% 14,488
1982 6,155 0.83% 15,170
1983 6,853 0.85% 16,365
1984 7,055 0.83% 16,150
1985 7,251 0.77% 16,028
1986 7,403 0.75% 16,065
1987 7,591 0.76% 15,893
Calendar
Year 		NASA budget
Nominal Dollars
(Millions) 		% of Fed Budget[3][4] 2014 Constant Dollars
(Millions)
1988 9,092 0.85% 18,280
1989 11,036 0.96% 21,168
1990 12,429 0.99% 22,618
1991 13,878 1.05% 24,235
1992 13,961 1.01% 23,668
1993 14,305 1.01% 23,546
1994 13,695 0.94% 21,979
1995 13,378 0.88% 20,879
1996 13,881 0.89% 21,042
1997 14,360 0.90% 21,280
1998 14,194 0.86% 20,712
1999 13,636 0.80% 19,467
2000 13,428 0.75% 18,547
2001 14,095 0.76% 18,940
2002 14,405 0.72% 19,045
2003 14,610 0.68% 18,885
2004 15,152 0.66% 19,078
2005 15,602 0.63% 19,001
2006 15,125 0.57% 17,844
2007 15,861 0.58% 18,194
2008 17,833 0.60% 19,700
2009 17,782[5] 0.57% 19,714
2010 18,724[6] 0.52% 20,423
FY2011 18,448[7] 0.51% 17,833
FY2012 17,770[8] 0.50% 17,471
FY2013 16,865[9] 0.49% 17,219
FY2014 17,647[10] 0.50% 17,647
FY2015 18,010[11] 0.49% 17,989
FY2016 19,300[12] 0.50% 19,037
FY2017 19,508[13] 0.47% 18,866
FY2018 (proposed) 20,736[14][15] ~20,050
2019 (projected) 19,375 [10]
2020 (projected) 19,666 [10]

Notes for table: Sources for a part of these data: U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) (needs proper citation-link, numbers here differ from NASA Pocket Statistics),
Air Force Association's Air Force Magazine 2007 Space Almanac
Secondary references: [2] [3] [4][full citation needed]

NASA employment[edit]

Cost of Apollo program[edit]

NASA's budget peaked in 1966, during the Apollo program

NASA's budget peaked in 1964–66, when it consumed roughly 4% of federal spending. The agency was building up to the first Moon landing; the Apollo program involved more than 34,000 NASA employees and 375,000 employees of industrial and university contractors.[23]

In March 1966, NASA officials told Congress that the 1959–72 "run-out cost" of the Apollo program would be an estimated $22.718 billion. The total cost turned out to be between $20 and $25.4 billion in 1969 dollars (about $136 billion in 2007 dollars).[24]

The costs of the Apollo spacecraft and Saturn rockets came to about $83 billion in 2005 dollars. Apollo spacecraft cost $28 billion, including the Command/Service Module, $17 billion; Lunar Module, $11 billion; and launch vehicles (Saturn I, Saturn IB, Saturn V cost about $46 billion in 2005 dollars).[25]

Economic impact of NASA funding[edit]

A November 1971 study of NASA released by MRIGlobal (formerly Midwest Research Institute) of Kansas City, Missouri concluded that "the $25 billion in 1958 dollars spent on civilian space R & D during the 1958–1969 period has returned $52.5 billion through 1971 – and will continue to produce payoffs through 1987, at which time the total payoff will have been $181 billion. The discounted rate of return for this investment will have been 33 percent."[26]

A map from NASA's web site illustrating its economic impact on the U.S. states (as of FY2003)

Other statistics on NASA's economic impact may be found in the 1976 Chase Econometrics Associates, Inc. reports[27] and backed by the 1989 Chapman Research report, which examined 259 non-space applications of NASA technology during an eight-year period (1976–1984) and found more than:

  • $21.6 billion in sales and benefits
  • 352,000 (mostly skilled) jobs created or saved
  • $355 million in federal corporate income taxes

According to a 1992 Nature commentary, these 259 applications represent ". . .only 1% of an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Space program spin-offs."[28]

A 2013 report prepared by the Tauri Group for NASA showed that NASA invested nearly $5 billion in U.S. manufacturing in FY 2012, with nearly $2 billion of that going to the technology sector. NASA also develops and commercializes technology, some of which can generate over $1 billion in revenue per year over multiple years[29]

In 2014, the American Helicopter Society criticized NASA and the government for reducing the annual rotorcraft budget from $50 million in 2000 to $23 million in 2013, impacting commercial opportunities.[30]

The 2017 Economic Impact Report prepared by NASA for their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards found that for FY 2016, these programs created 2,412 jobs, $474 million in economic output, and $57.3 million in fiscal impact with an initial investment of $172.9 million.[31]

Public perception[edit]

The perceived national security threat posed by early Soviet leads in spaceflight drove NASA's budget to its peak, both in real inflation-adjusted dollars and in a percentage of the total federal budget (4.41% in 1966). But the U.S. victory in the Space Race — landing men on the Moon — erased the perceived threat, and NASA was unable to sustain political support for its vision of an even more ambitious Space Transportation System entailing reusable Earth-to-orbit shuttles, a permanent space station, lunar bases, and a manned mission to Mars. Only a scaled-back Space Shuttle was approved, and NASA's funding leveled off at just under 1% in 1976, then declined to 0.75% in 1986. After a brief increase to 1.01% in 1992, it declined to about 0.49% in 2013.

To help with public perception and to raise awareness regarding the widespread benefits of NASA-funded programs and technologies, NASA instituted the Spinoffs publication. This was a direct offshoot of the Technology Utilization Program Report, a "publication dedicated to informing the scientific community about available NASA technologies, and ongoing requests received for supporting information." according to the NASA Spinoff about page the technologies in these reports created interest in the technology transfer concept, its successes, and its use as a public awareness tool. The reports generated such keen interest by the public that NASA decided to make them into an attractive publication. Thus, the first four-color edition of Spinoff was published in 1976.[32]

The American public, on average, believes NASA's budget has a much larger share of the federal budget than it actually does. A 1997 poll reported that Americans had an average estimate of 20% for NASA's share of the federal budget, far higher than the actual 0.5% to under 1% that has been maintained throughout the late '90s and first decade of the 2000s.[33] It is estimated that most Americans spent less than $9 on NASA through personal income tax in 2009.[34]

However, there has been a recent movement to communicate discrepancy between perception and reality of NASA's budget as well as lobbying to return the funding back to the 1970–1990 level. The United States Senate Science Committee met in March 2012 where astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson testified that "Right now, NASA's annual budget is half a penny on your tax dollar. For twice that—a penny on a dollar—we can transform the country from a sullen, dispirited nation, weary of economic struggle, to one where it has reclaimed its 20th-century birthright to dream of tomorrow."[35][36] Inspired by Tyson's advocacy and remarks, the Penny4NASA campaign was initiated in 2012 by John Zeller and advocates the doubling of NASA's budget to one percent of the Federal Budget, or one "penny on the dollar."[37]

Political opposition to NASA funding[edit]

Public opposition to NASA and its budget dates back to the Apollo era.  Critics have cited more immediate concerns, like social welfare programs, as reasons to cut funding to the agency.[38] Furthermore, they have questioned the return on investment (ROI) feasibility of NASA’s research and development. In 1968, physicist Ralph Lapp argued that if NASA really did have a positive ROI, it should be able to sustain itself as a private company, and not require federal funding[38]. More recently, critics have faulted NASA for sinking money into the Space Shuttle program, reducing funding available for its long-term missions to Mars and deep space.[39] Manned missions to Mars have also been denounced for their inefficiency and large cost compared to unmanned missions.[40]

Both far-left and far-right political groups have opposed increased funding for NASA and Earth sciences in the past. In the late 1990s far-right political groups opposed the Earth science aspects of NASA spending. These opponents were skeptical of climate change and they argued that spending on Earth science programs, particularly climate research, is in pursuit of political agendas.[41] Far-left groups have traditionally opposed NASA and space research funding on the grounds that the funds would be better spent on social programs, welfare safety nets, and food-aid programs. In 2012, the Obama administration made significant cuts to NASA's budget while increasing spending on social programs [42].

Recent developments[edit]

The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law on March 21, 2017, and marked some changes to NASA’s mission. It reaffirms interest in:

The law also expanded the TREAT Astronauts Act, which provides medical diagnostic and treatment services to former astronauts.[43] Absent from the law is any mention of NASA’s earth science programs, which some critics believe is a politically motivated move.[44]

The proposed NASA Authorization Act of 2018 would increase NASA’s budget from $19.5 billion in FY 2017 to $20.74 billion in FY 2018, and again to $21.21 billion in FY 2019.[45] This act supports the initiatives outlined in the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017, and adds a detailed outline of goals regarding NASA’s earth science division.[46]

Related legislation[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Years 1960–1968[16][17]
  2. ^ Years 1969–1978[18]
  3. ^ Years 1979–1988[19]
  4. ^ CS, Years 1993–1995[20][21]
  5. ^ Year 2012[22]
  6. ^ CS, Year 1959–1968, 1989–1996, NASA Pocket Stats: https://history.nasa.gov/pocketstats/sect%20D/CS%20Trend.pdf
  7. ^ CS, Year 1993–2011, Workforce Information Cubes: https://wicn.nssc.nasa.gov
  8. ^ Contractors, 1969: https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4102/ch5.htm

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/fy_2017_nasa_agency_fact_sheet.pdf
  2. ^ "2019 Budget Tables" 2019 Budget Tables. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved 26 Nov. 2018.
  3. ^ a b % of total federal expenditures from: https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/feb/01/nasa-budgets-us-spending-space-travel
  4. ^ a b 1999–2010 based on federal outlays from: Federal budget (United States)#Total outlays in recent budget submissions
  5. ^ "2011 Budget Overview" (PDF). nasa.gov.
  6. ^ Berger, Brian (2011-04-13). "U.S. Budget Compromise Includes $18.5 Billion for NASA". Space.com. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  7. ^ http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/632697main_NASA_FY13_Budget_Summary-508.pdf
  8. ^ http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/750614main_NASA_FY_2014_Budget_Estimates-508.pdf
  9. ^ 2015 NASA Budget Estimates
  10. ^ a b c 2016 NASA Budget Estimates
  11. ^ Clark, Stephen (2014-12-14). "NASA gets budget hike in spending bill passed by Congress". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2014-12-15.
  12. ^ "Agency fact sheet: NASA's FY 2017 budget request" (PDF). 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  13. ^ "S.442 – National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017". Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  14. ^ Staff, Science News. "Updated: Congress approves largest U.S. research spending increase in a decade". Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  15. ^ Foust, Jeff. "NASA receives $20.7 billion in omnibus appropriations bill". Science News. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  16. ^ NASA Historical Databook, 1958–1968, Volume I, NASA Resources, NASA SP-4012v1, 1976, Page 10, https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012v1.pdf
  17. ^ For general discussion on Years 1960–1968, see Chapter 3 of NASA Historical Databook, 1958–1968, Volume I, NASA Resources, NASA SP-4012v1, 1976
  18. ^ SP-4012 NASA HISTORICAL DATA BOOK: VOLUME IV, NASA RESOURCES 1969–1978, Table 3-1 (Titled: Civilian and Military In-house Personnel (at end of fiscal year)), Link: https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol4/t3.1.htm
  19. ^ NASA Historical Data Books (SP-4012), Volume VI: NASA Space Applications, Aeronautics and Space Research and Technology, Tracking and Data Acquisition/Support Operations, Commercial Programs, and Resources, 1979–1988, Compiled by Judy A. Rumerman, 1999, Reference: Chapter 7: NASA Personnel, Table 7-1 (Titled: Total NASA Workforce (at end of fiscal year), Page 468 Link: https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol6/cover6.html
  20. ^ http://www.gao.gov/assets/230/223061.pdf
  21. ^ "NASA Personnel: Challenges to Achieving Workforce Reductions".
  22. ^ "Employee Orientation". employeeorientation.nasa.gov.
  23. ^ Levine, Arnold S. (1983). "Chapter 4: The NASA Acquisition Process: Contracting For Research and Development". Managing NASA in the Apollo era : an administrative history of the U.S. civilian space program, 1958-1969. Scientific and Technical Information Branch, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. OCLC 317074611.
  24. ^ 93rd Congress 1973, p. 1271.
  25. ^ Wilford 1969, p. 67
  26. ^ "Economic Impact of Stimulated Economic Activity.". nasa.gov. Retrieved 14 Nov. 2018.
  27. ^ "The Economic Impact of NASA R&D Spending: Preliminary Executive Summary.", April 1975. Also: "Relative Impact of NASA Expenditure on the Economy.", March 18, 1975
  28. ^ Bezdek, Roger H.; Wendling, Robert M. (January 9, 1992). "Sharing out NASA's spoils" (PDF). Nature. Nature Publishing Group. 355 (6356): 105–106. Bibcode:1992Natur.355..105B. doi:10.1038/355105a0. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  29. ^ "NASA Socio-Economic Impacts". National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved 14 Nov. 2018.
  30. ^ Hirschberg, Mike. "Investing in Tomorrow’s Civil Rotorcraft" American Helicopter Society, July–August 2014. Accessed: 7 October 2014. Archived on 7 October 2014
  31. ^ "2017 Economic Impact Report". nasa.gov. Retrieved 14 Nov. 2018.
  32. ^ "About Spinoff". NASA. n.d. Archived from the original on 2014-12-08. Retrieved 26 Nov 2014.
  33. ^ Launius, Roger D. "Public opinion polls and perceptions of US human spaceflight". Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
  34. ^ "Personal Income Tax Paid To NASA In 2009 By Income Level". NASACost.com.
  35. ^ "Past, Present, and Future of NASA – U.S. Senate Testimony". Hayden Planetarium. 7 Mar 2012. Retrieved 4 Dec 2012.
  36. ^ "Past, Present, and Future of NASA – U.S. Senate Testimony (Video)". Hayden Planetarium. 7 Mar 2012. Retrieved 4 Dec 2012.
  37. ^ "Why We Fight – Penny4NASA". Penny4NASA. Retrieved 30 Nov 2012.
  38. ^ a b "A Case for Cutting NASA's Budget". The New Republic. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  39. ^ "NASA's Shuttle Program Cost $209 Billion — Was it Worth It?". Space.com. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  40. ^ "Should NASA Ditch Manned Missions to Mars?". Space.com. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  41. ^ Eric Berger (October 29, 2015) Republicans outraged over NASA earth science programs… that Reagan began. Ars Technica
  42. ^ https://www.universetoday.com/93512/experts-react-to-obama-slash-to-nasas-mars-and-planetary-science-exploration/
  43. ^ Cruz, Ted (2017-03-21). "S.442 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  44. ^ Mosher, Dave (March 21, 2017). "Trump just signed a law that maps out NASA's long-term future — but a critical element is missing". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  45. ^ "SST Committee Approves Bipartisan NASA Authorization Act of 2018". Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  46. ^ a b Babin, Brian (2018-04-17). "Text - H.R.5503 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2018". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  47. ^ National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, PL 109-155, US Government, December 30, 2005.
  48. ^ "H.R. 4412 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  49. ^ [1]
  50. ^ Ted, Cruz, (21 March 2017). "Text - S.442 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017". www.congress.gov.

External links[edit]

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