Tight NASA Budgets

A report by Space News supports the budget outlook I've been expecting. NASA's purchasing power has been flat over the last 15 years. Budget increases are not expected under the Obama administration.

Editorial Thoughts: This budget outlook comes at a time when NASA's manned spaceflight and Earth observation programs are both requiring more funding. The result likely will be flat budgets at best for planetary programs or lower budgets. I believe that a key measurement of the Decadal Survey in progress will be whether or not its proposals remain meaningful if planetary budgets decrease. A plan that holds together only with full funding may prove to be less than useful.