Glex Summit 2024 - Banner

Astrobotic Commends Senate NASA Funding Bill’s Strong Resources For Lunar Science, Exploration

Griffin lander concept; Credits: Astrobotic

Astrobotic commends the Senate Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee for providing strong funding for NASA’s Lunar Discovery and Exploration initiative in its FY2020 bill. Under the leadership of Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and full Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), the committee has once again demonstrated the Congress’ support of NASA’s efforts to lead in cislunar space and now on the surface of the Moon.

At $22.75 billion, the FY2020 bill would provide a record amount of funding for NASA. This follows multiple years of progressively more funding for the agency as well as additional resources for lunar programs. John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic, praised the Senate’s action. “Once again, the Senate has provided the resources necessary for NASA to continue to lead. I’m particularly pleased to see continued full funding for the Lunar Exploration and Discovery program, which houses the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This funding will allow NASA and its commercial partners, like Astrobotic, to press ahead on an ambitious lunar science campaign that will deepen our understanding of our solar system and provide invaluable knowledge of the lunar surface – knowledge that will inform and ultimately enable a revival of human lunar activities via the Artemis program. Astrobotic is proud to be leading the way for America’s return to the Moon with our 2021 mission.”

As a CLPS participant, Astrobotic competed for and won a task order in May 2019 to deliver up to 14 NASA payloads to the lunar surface. Along with 16 other payloads from around the world, NASA’s scientific payloads will be attached to the Peregrine lunar lander. The upcoming Peregrine mission will launch from Florida in Summer 2021 on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur vehicle and will provide the first American soft-landed payload on the lunar surface since the Apollo program.

As an industry partner to NASA within CLPS, Astrobotic continues to strongly support the larger science and exploration campaign that will be enabled by the Space Launch System, Orion spacecraft and Exploration Ground Systems, as well the Gateway. These elements will ensure America’s return to the Moon extends beyond a triumphant walk on the surface in 2024 to a sustainable, permanent presence on our nearest celestial neighbor. As such, Astrobotic looks forward to a successful conference process that retains this strong funding for NASA’s lunar science efforts and encourages quick action by both the House and the Senate to finalize the FY2020 appropriations process.

Check Also

The Space Café Podcast #103: Building for New Frontiers: How Space Architecture Shapes Our Future in the Cosmos with space architect Georgi Petrov

SpaceWatch.Global is pleased to present: The Space Café Podcast #103:  Building for New Frontiers: How Space Architecture Shapes Our Future in the Cosmos with space architect Georgi Petrov. Space Architecture is not just about creating structures; it's about envisioning a sustainable future for humanity in space. In the latest #SpaceCafePodcast, Markus dives into a thought-provoking conversation with Georgi Petrov, a visionary at the forefront of designing habitats beyond Earth. From the International Space Station's early designs to the ambitious #MoonVillage concept with the European Space Agency, Georgi shares insights into the challenges and innovations in creating environments where humans can thrive in outer space.