TheNASA Authorization Act of 2010 is a U.S. law authorizingNASA appropriations forfiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013 with the same top-line budget values as requested byUS PresidentBarack Obama. It resulted from theAugustine Commission's review of then-current crewed space flight plans.
The law supports an overall growth inscience,aeronautics, andspace technology and defines a long-term goal forhuman spaceflight to expand a permanent human presencebeyond low Earth orbit. Key objectives of this goal include full utilization of theInternational Space Station (ISS), determining the ability of humans to live inouter space for extended periods of time, maximizing the role ofspace exploration andspace technology in current and future missions, advancing knowledge and inspiring young people intohigher education, and building upon international partnerships.
The act was signed by President Obama on October 11, 2010. A total of $58 billion in funding is called for, spread across three years.[1]
In regard tohuman spaceflight, the law is intended to:
The law will invest in space technologies androbotics capabilities that are tied to the overallspace exploration framework and support U.S. innovation and competitiveness.
In regard to commercial cargo and crew, the law will:
In regard to the International Space Station (ISS), the law will:
The law authorizes an additional Space Shuttle flight (STS-135), contingent on a safety review, to provide necessary support for the extension of the ISS.
The law protects a balanced portfolio for NASA, including full funding ofaeronautics,Earth science andspace science.
In regard to education, the law will:
The law requires NASA to examine alternativemanagement models for NASA'sworkforce, centers, and capabilities, while enforcing short-term prohibitions on major center displacements and reductions-in-force until the study is completed.[3]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromThe NASA Authorization Act of 2010.U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.