Getting us back to the moon: U.S. House evaluates NASA FY 2025 budget

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The U.S. House Of Representatives is taking a look at the funding that will be allocated to NASA and all of its programs for Fiscal Year 2025.

The NASA Reauthorization Act was introduced for markup in the House Wednesday.

The budget totals $25.225 billion and is dedicated to space exploration and the advancement of science and technology, including the International Space Station (ISS) and Artemis Programs.

“The next mission will be a manned flight to go around the moon,” former NASA Advisory Council member Mark McDaniel said. “Then Artemis III will actually land on the moon. This budget will get us there.”

NASA employs nearly 7,000 North Alabamians at Marshall Space Flight Center. Thousands more are contributing to NASA programs through outside contractors.

Alabama-based engineers and scientists are helping design and build propulsion systems for the Space Launch System rockets that will return humanity to the moon. They design experiments that astronauts conduct on the ISS while teams are preparing for long-term stays on the moon.

“I’ve always said, ‘If NASA gets the money, they can do the work,'” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the FY 2025 budget provides for current research and development. It also takes into account youth education, setting the stage for the next generation of space explorers.

“Our nation has fallen far behind in the math and sciences,” McDaniel said. “I think NASA is the one organization that can inspire youth to pursue careers in math and science.”

Before the legislation left the House Committee for Science, Space, and Technology, U.S. Rep. Dale Strong amended the budget to provide funds for the Human Landing System Program, managed by Marshall Space Flight Center.

“It is essential for the U.S. to remain the global leader in space exploration,” Strong said in committee. “We must ensure our astronauts return to the moon before the Chinese accomplish a crude landing. I’m very proud of North Alabama’s role in the success of the Artemis mission.”

The bipartisan amendment allows the program to work with two NASA contractors instead of one to provide support for the Artemis Program.

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