In a display of cosmic realism that would make even a Vulcan proud, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson took a break from dreaming about Mars to gently remind lawmakers that America’s space ambitions need something slightly more tangible than inspiration and Perseverance rovers: they need cash.
Speaking at a recent Senate hearing, Nelson addressed the elephant floating in microgravity, namely the gap between NASA’s grand vision and its rather more grounded budget. With the Artemis program aiming to return humans to the Moon and lay groundwork for the eventual jaunt to Mars, Nelson conveyed to Congress that heroism in space first requires modest heroism in government spending.
The hearing, which was originally meant to tout NASA’s technological progress, quickly orbited around financial realities. The Artemis program, already juggling supply chain delays, spacecraft redesigns and the occasional billionaire looking for a ride, is now confronting what Nelson diplomatically called “serious challenges” if Congress does not approve the necessary funding increases.
Specifically, NASA’s request for $25.4 billion for fiscal year 2025, which includes $7.8 billion for exploration, is key for staying on course with Artemis III, the mission intended to land astronauts on the Moon’s surface in the next few years. Without it, the agency risks slipping its timetable, which is already doing a decent impersonation of a banana peel on a planetary sidewalk.
Nelson also offered a gentle reminder of the perks of investing in space, including the fact that every dollar spent tends to orbit back into the US economy. From commercial partnerships to lunar landers, he championed the private sector alliances NASA has cultivated, though he stopped short of suggesting Elon Musk be given the federal budget’s PIN number.
The hearing covered other topics too, including space traffic management, satellite cybersecurity and the small matter of China ramping up its own lunar plans with all the subtlety of a rocket launch. Still, it was clear that Nelson’s primary mission on Capitol Hill was to nudge the checkbook in NASA’s general direction, all while keeping his tone suitably otherworldly yet politely insistent.
“If we want American boots on the Moon and on Mars, we’re going to need American bucks first,” Nelson might as well have said, though in slightly more congressional language.
The stars may be free, but getting there apparently still costs a small fortune and a few committee hearings.