The Coalition for Aerospace and Science urges Congress to appropriate at least 26 billion dollars for NASA in FY 2027, including specified increases across NASA’s science, technology, exploration, operations, aeronautics, and STEM engagement directorates, to sustain U.S. leadership in a new era of space exploration and competition.
The Coalition for Aerospace and Science (CAS) is an alliance of prominent industry, academic, and scientific organizations united in support of robust and sustained federal investment in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). We request Congress appropriate at least $26 billion for Fiscal Year 2027, a vital increase to maintain development and execution of ongoing missions while initiating work on new groundbreaking endeavors.
NASA is entering a new era of space exploration and science, highlighted by the upcoming flight of Artemis II. This mission could further ignite the inspirational power of NASA, in a way not seen since the days of Apollo. Fully realizing this moment, however, requires sustained investment to advance the technologies and scientific capabilities that underpin human exploration and discovery. At the same time, NASA is preparing a new generation of deep space observatories to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos. Closer to home, commercial activity in Low-Earth Orbit is accelerating toward a future of space habitats that serve as research outposts and manufacturing platforms, while next-generation remote sensing systems are leveraging the unique vantage point of space to address critical challenges on Earth. The successful landing of the first commercial spacecraft on the Moon last year further underscores the emergence of a new, dynamic age of space exploration, one that demands continued federal leadership and resources.
These achievements place NASA at the heart of a new Space Race. China’s human and robotic presence in space has grown tremendously over the past decade as it works to establish itself as a peer competitor in space exploration and science. China’s achievements and ambitions will require Congress to ensure that the US remains the undisputed leader in space through robust funding and support.
Each member of CAS works with NASA on critical research, missions, and programs throughout the agency. Therefore, each member of the Coalition understands that healthy growth in funding and support for NASA overall is crucial for progress on individual priorities. For FY 2027, CAS requests that Congress provide funding within the topline to the following NASA directorates:
Science Mission Directorate: CAS requests at least $9 billion for NASA’s Science MissionDirectorate (SMD). Arguably the most acute budgetary challenge for NASA is within the Science Mission Directorate, where outstanding science priorities exist across all divisions. SMD requires at least $9 billion to support ongoing Decadal priority missions and begin formulation for new decadal priorities. This includes providing robust funding for all the science divisions, to support principal investigator-led / community-led / competitively selected science missions as part of the balanced portfolio, as well as avert proposed cancellations, and enable demonstration of successful public private Earth science mission architectures. This funding level would sustain a balanced science portfolio that drives innovation, supports investigator-led research and new competitive mission opportunities, and ensures U.S. leadership and global competitiveness in space science.
Space Technology Mission Directorate: CAS requests $1.1 billion for the Space Technology MissionDirectorate (STMD). Since its inception, STMD has focused on improving NASA’s technological capabilities across a wide array of areas that help the Agency achieve mission requirements across all its directorates. These technologies have considerable applications for NASA’s Artemis and Moon-to-Mars efforts in demonstrating capabilities that enable critical elements of those campaigns, such as surface power, habitation, In-Situ Resource Utilization, communications, and more. STMD also provides critical support for early career researchers and graduate students exploring innovative new concepts in space-relevant technologies.
Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate: CAS requests $8.3 billion for the ExplorationSystems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), in addition to the funding from The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act which would bring the total ESDMD funding to over $10 billion in FY 2027. NASA’s human exploration agenda – and the global visibility and prestige it confers – is an unparalleled national asset that has spurred immeasurable economic, inspirational, and geopolitical benefits.
Space Operations Mission Directorate: CAS requests $4.4 billion for the Space Operations MissionDirectorate (SOMD). The Coalition requests that SOMD maintain its support for the International Space Station, the Commercial Crew and Cargo programs, and the Commercial LEO Development (CLD) program.
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate: CAS requests $1 billion for the Aeronautics ResearchMission Directorate (ARMD). This level of appropriations would provide continued support for the development of subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flight technologies and flight demonstrations. Research from this directorate develops technologies that transform the way we fly by lowering operating costs, increasing flight efficiency, and reducing aviation related environmental impacts. ARMD is critical to the United States’ leadership in hypersonic technologies and systems and advances research on Unmanned Aircraft Systems for safe integration into the national airspace system.
STEM Engagement: CAS requests $150 million for the Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) and supports NASA’s efforts to develop the future STEM workforce. NASA must attract, fully engage, and retain the best talent available in the face of stiff competition from other science and technology sectors. Within this amount, the Coalition requests $65 million for the National Space Grant College and Fellowship program. OSTEM’s Space Grant program serves to strengthen and promote a national network of state-based programs in partnership with NASA to develop and sustain a diverse, adaptable, and competitive STEM workforce, improve student accessibility to STEM-based learning opportunities, and strengthen the nation’s STEM workforce pathways. This resulting progress of space and earth sciences and engineering that can transforms our future and sustain American leadership for generations to come.