[20030728]RS21430_美国国家航空航天局：概述、2004财年预算概要和国会议题.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21430Updated July 28, 2003The National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration: Overview, FY2004 Budget inBrief, and Issues for CongressMarcia S. SmithSpecialist in Aerospace and Telecommunications PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryTheNationalAeronauticsandSpaceAdministration(NASA)was created in 1958toconduct U.S. government civilian spaceactivities(militaryspaceactivitiesareunderthe purview of the Department of Defense). The FY2004 budget request for NASA is$15.5 billion, versus $15.3 billion appropriated for FY2003. Attention is focused onthe investigation of the February 1, 2003 space shuttle Columbia tragedy (see CRSReport RS21408) and its implications for NASA and the space program as a whole. AmoredetailedanalysisofNASAsFY2004requestisavailableinCRSReportRL31821.TheHousepassedtheFY2004VA-HUD-IAappropriationsbill,whichincludesNASA(H.R.2861),onJuly25,withanetincreaseof$71million($96millionincutsand$167million in additions). The House took no action on the space shuttle and relatedprograms pending release of the report on the investigation of the