NASA 2010 Budget: Strong Support for Science and Exploration

by Susan Lendroth

Planetary Society board members gave a thumbs up to the proposal for NASA's 2010 budget that was released today, with Executive Director Lou Friedman commenting that the Administration's "strong support for science and exploration makes it clear that President Obama indeed wants the American space program to inspire the world with new discoveries."

From increased funding for Earth science to development of the new Ares/Orion launch vehicles to robotic missions to other worlds, the new budget encompasses a broad and robust exploration program. However, the one area where we would have liked greater emphasis was Mars exploration. As Planetary Society President Jim Bell said, "It is the only other world capable of supporting life that is within the reach of human explorers; the planet should be the target of a robust robotic program to pave the way for future human missions." Read more.