Aerospace & Defense

NASA FY2010 budget emphasizes Earth observations, human spaceflight

Under the Obama administration, NASA announced an $18.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2010 to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 million, or 5%, above funding provided in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Altogether, an additional $2 billion has been added to NASA's 2009 and 2010 budgets.

The FY2010 budget request funds a strong program to continue the agency's missions of exploration and research. It supports the administration's commitment to deploy a global climate change research and monitoring system. It also funds a strong program of space exploration involving humans and robots with the goal of returning Americans to the moon and exploring other destinations. Furthermore, it supports the safe flight of the space shuttle to complete assembly of the International Space Station by the shuttle's planned retirement.

The NASA’s budget will also stimulate private sector development and demonstration of vehicles that may support NASA’s cargo and crew requirements. It also renews NASA's commitment to aeronautics research to address aviation safety, air traffic control, noise and emissions reduction, and fuel efficiency.

The key takeaways for the Commercial Space Transportation sector are as follows:

• Technological improvements in space systems and ground equipment and the growing use of geographic information systems (GIS) are the main drivers behind the growing commercial interest in imaging satellites.
• The success of the commercial remote sensing satellite firms largely depends on overcoming various risks, including technical, market and regulatory risks that could hurt prospects for commercial success in the highly competitive global market for geospatial information products and services.
• Although technology is an important enabling factor, there are risks of technical setbacks associated while manufacturing and operating commercial satellite imaging systems, particularly due to limited resources available to the private firms, such as the launch failures of IKONOS-1 and Earlybird-1.
• Government policies and regulations and funding play a vital role in helping create conditions that will aid commercial remote sensing firms to realize their competitive potential in both domestic and international markets.