Space Funding

NASA's Appropriations and DOD's Funding Estimates for Space Programs Gao ID: NSIAD-87-81FS February 26, 1987

In response to a congressional request, GAO defined and compared the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) and the Department of Defense's (DOD) funding for space programs.

GAO found that NASA: (1) receives funding for its space program through appropriations for research and development, space flight, control, and data communications, facility construction, and research and program management; (2) increased its appropriations for space programs from $5 billion to $6.9 billion during fiscal years (FY) 1981 through 1985; (3) receives reimbursements for goods and services it provides to both commercial and government clients; and (4) increased its reimbursements during FY 1981 through 1985 from $723 million to $1.8 billion. GAO also found that DOD: (1) receives its funding through regular appropriations, since it does not have specific appropriations for its space programs; and (2) increased its space funding estimates from $4.8 billion to $12.8 billion during FY 1981 through 1985. GAO noted that DOD funding estimates have exceeded NASA appropriations since FY 1982.



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