A significant proposal to bolster NASA's space exploration endeavors has emerged from the Senate. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, unveiled a plan to inject an additional $10 billion into a budget reconciliation bill. This substantial increase aims to counterbalance proposed reductions in NASA's human spaceflight and exploration programs outlined in the administration's budget.

The proposed package, released June 5th, includes detailed "legislative directives" intended for integration into the Senate's version of the budget reconciliation bill. A key element allocates $9.995 billion to NASA, available for expenditure until fiscal year 2032. A considerable portion, $4.1 billion, is earmarked for the production of Space Launch System (SLS) rockets, crucial for the Artemis 4 and 5 missions. This directly addresses the administration's proposal to halt SLS development after Artemis 3. Furthermore, $2.6 billion is allocated to complete the Gateway lunar space station, a project facing potential cancellation.

The bill also includes a smaller allocation of $20 million for continued Orion spacecraft development for Artemis 4, although the rationale behind this significantly reduced funding remains unclear. Other notable provisions include $700 million for a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, essential for Mars Sample Return missions and future crewed missions to Mars. This counters the administration’s proposed cancellation of the Mars Sample Return program. The proposal also earmarks $250 million annually for the International Space Station (ISS) from fiscal years 2025 through 2029, offsetting proposed ISS operational cuts. Additionally, $325 million is set aside for the development of the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, and $1 billion is allocated for infrastructure improvements across NASA's Kennedy, Johnson, Marshall, Stennis centers, and the Michoud Assembly Facility. While a significant infrastructure backlog exists, the proposal prioritizes facilities directly supporting human spaceflight, focusing on the competition with China to reach the Moon and Mars first. “This orbiter is dual-use for both a Mars Sample Return mission, to return core samples of Mars to Earth, and future manned Mars missions,” a summary accompanying the bill states.

Beyond NASA, the package encompasses funding for Coast Guard projects, air traffic control improvements, and recissions of funds allocated to certain climate change and environmental projects. A notable provision introduces license fees for commercial space launch and reentry, generating an estimated $100 million through 2034 to support the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation. “Senate Republicans are fixing the aging air traffic control system, rebuilding the Coast Guard to secure our maritime border against deadly drugs and illegal immigration, ensuring the U.S. – not China – gets to Mars and gets back to the Moon first,” Cruz stated. The proposal has secured endorsements from both the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration. Eric Fanning, president and chief executive of AIA, stated: “As industry continues to push into new frontiers and outpace our competitors in space, this effort shows Congress is dedicated to moving forward with mission-critical programs and maintaining our space leadership.” The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration emphasized the importance of the proposal in the context of the competition with China, stating: “This is a race back to the Moon that the United States must win. Choosing to cede our leadership in space to China is not an acceptable option.” The bill's future remains uncertain, dependent on its inclusion in the final Senate version and subsequent reconciliation with the House bill.