By 
June 6th, 2025
Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, unveiled yesterday his legislative directives for Senate Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill.
“Talking Points & Messaging” includes beating China to Mars and the Moon. It dedicates almost $10 billion to win the new space race with China and ensure America dominates space. Makes targeted, critical investments in Mars-forward technology, Artemis Missions and Moon to Mars program, and the International Space Station.
Artist’s view of Space Launch System/Orion spacecraft on the launch pad.
Credit: NASA
Details, details, details
Section 0005, under Mars missions, Artemis missions, and Moon to Mars program.
This section would provide $9.995 billion for fiscal year 2025 as supplemental funds for critical Mars-forward infrastructure, broader Moon-to-Mars program, and NASA’s Artemis missions.
Of the amount appropriated under this section:
o Mars Telecommunications Orbiter – $700 million for the commercial procurement of a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter. 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.
The Gateway space station will operate in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit supporting crewed Artemis missions to the moon.
Image credit: NASA/Alberto Bertolin, Bradley Reynolds
o Gateway – $2.6 billion to fully fund the lunar space station known as Gateway, which is critical for establishing a sustained human presence at the Moon, as required by statute.
o Space Launch System Rockets – $4.1 billion to fund two Space Launch System (SLS) rockets for the Artemis IV and V missions. The SLS is the only human-rated rocket available that can get humans to the Moon. Importantly, this funding would not preclude integrating new, commercial options if and when they become available.
o Orion Crew Vehicle – $20 million to fund the continued procurement of the fourth Orion multi-purpose crew vehicle for use with SLS for Artemis IV and reuse with subsequent Artemis Missions. Orion is the vehicle which will take astronauts to Gateway and return them safely to Earth.
Artist rendering of Lockheed Martin-built Orion spacecraft in deep space.
Credit: Lockheed Martin
o International Space Station – $1.25 billion for the International Space Station (ISS) operations over five years. This would provide necessary funding for space operations to, from, and on the ISS to ensure an orderly transition from ISS to commercial platforms after 2030 and ensure there is no gap in American leadership in low-Earth orbit.
o U.S. Deorbit Vehicle – $325 million to fund the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to safely deorbit the ISS. This vehicle is necessary to safely deorbit the ISS once it has reached the end of its useful life, and without which the odds of re-entry over a population center are roughly one in ten.
Kennedy Space Center.
Credit: NASA
NASA centers
o NASA Center Improvements – $1 billion for infrastructure improvements at manned spaceflight centers. Between deferred maintenance and delayed construction of new facilities, NASA’s infrastructure backlog across all centers is above $5 billion. The funds in this subsection would focus only on the manned spaceflight centers and on the infrastructure needed to beat China to Mars and the Moon.
Specifically:
▪ John C. Stennis Space Center – $120 million for infrastructure repairs and upgrades. Stennis is the home of NASA’s rocket engine testing for the heavy-lift rocket engines necessary to get to deep space.
▪ John F. Kennedy Space Center – $250 million for infrastructure repairs. The Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s premier launch complex and from which every American astronaut has been sent to space.
▪ Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center – $300 million for infrastructure repairs and upgrades. JSC is home to mission control, the astronaut corps, and overall space operations.
▪ George C. Marshall Space Flight Center – $100 million for infrastructure repairs and upgrades. Marshall is NASA’s home for propulsion.
▪ Michoud Assembly Facility – $30 million for infrastructure repairs and upgrades.
Moon to Mars?
Image credit: NASA
Time lines
Section 0005 would also require that not less than 50 percent of the funds shall be obligated not later than September 30, 2028, 100 percent of the funds shall be obligated not later than September 30, 2029, and all associated outlays shall occur not later than September 30, 2034.
The CBO preliminarily estimates $9.96 billion will be obligated and expended within the ten year window.
To read the bill text, go to:
https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/AD3D04CF-52B4-411F-854B-44C55ABBADDA
Posted in Space News
