Groups Cite ‘Growing Disparity’ Between NASA Missions and Funding

The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and the Government Electronics and Information Technology Association (GEIA) are calling on Congress to appropriate $18.7 billion for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in fiscal year 2008 – an amount Congress previously approved and a $1.4 billion increase over the Bush Administration's request.

In a letter to congressional leaders and the members who play leading roles in space policy and funding, the industry officials expressed alarm over a "growing disparity" between the missions NASA is expected to carry out and the funding proposed for the agency. With the 2010 retirement date for the Space Shuttle approaching, EIA and GEIA member companies are especially concerned that cuts to the human space flight program could delay the new Orion and Ares I space systems by six months or more.

"NASA plays a crucial role in advancing our nation's innovation agenda," wrote EIA interim President and CEO Matt Flanigan and GEIA President Dan Heinemeier. "NASA programs promote our scientific, economic and educational interests, and contribute to our national and homeland security requirements.

"We are deeply concerned that there is a growing disparity between the programs that NASA has been asked to accomplish and the resources the agency has been provided," they added. "The FY 2008 budget request is not adequate to accomplish all of NASA's important missions. Therefore, we request that you assure that Congress appropriates the total authorized $18.7 billion in order to minimize our nation's gap in human spaceflight capability, ensure U.S. leadership in space, and contribute to our national and homeland security and international competitiveness."

The letter follows a May 11 letter to Congress from 23 aerospace and defense companies, including EIA/GEIA members Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. The full text of the EIA/GEIA letter can be viewed here.