The Senate proposed to slash planetary science funding

Last week, the Senate subcommittee responsible for writing NASA’s annual budget released their draft funding bill for 2017. It would provide $19.3 billion for NASA—about 300 million more than proposed by the President and essentially equal to what Congress provided to NASA last year.
The subcommittee approved the bill, which was then approved by full committee just days later. The bill is now supposed to move to the full Senate for a vote, though we don’t know when—or even if—that will happen.
The President proposed 1.53 billion dollars for the Planetary Science Division in 2017, finally reaching the Society’s proposed minimum after years of cuts (though it’s still a cut from last year).
The Senate, however, proposes to provide only 1.36 billion for Planetary Science. This cut, if enacted, would be a severe 270 million dollar cut from 2016.
Hopefully, the House appropriations subcommittee has proven itself to be a great defender of planetary science, and they have yet to weigh in. In particular, subcommittee chairman John Culberson (R-TX) is a proven champion of a mission to explore Europa while also supporting Mars exploration and a balanced program of smaller planetary missions.

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/case...posed-to-slash-planetary-science-funding.html

 

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Wouldn't it be great if someone within NASA and/or ESA could see the benefit involved an a real International united effort: After all it worked with the ISS and is still working.

 

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