Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently engaged in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing to discuss the Fiscal Year 2025 budgets for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The hearing featured testimonies from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan.
During the hearing, Senator Britt commended the efforts of Joseph Pelfrey, the newest director of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, along with the entire team at Marshall for their dedication to advancing research, space exploration, and national security priorities. She highlighted the importance of various programs led by NASA’s center in Huntsville, including the Space Launch System (SLS), Human Landing System (HLS), and Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP).
Senator Britt raised concerns regarding delays in the Artemis II mission and questioned Administrator Nelson about the resources available to address safety and hardware issues. Administrator Nelson affirmed that the mission is currently on schedule for September 2025 and emphasized NASA’s commitment to ensuring readiness before launch.
Additionally, Senator Britt expressed reservations about certain aspects of NASA’s Vision 2040 initiative, particularly regarding program oversight. She advocated for increased transparency and requested to be kept informed of any additional recommendations before implementation.
The discussion also touched upon the importance of supporting small businesses in the aerospace industry and ensuring the continued success of NASA programs. Administrator Nelson acknowledged the significant contributions of Alabama’s suppliers and emphasized the state’s integral role in NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
Overall, the hearing provided an opportunity for Senator Britt to address key concerns and priorities related to NASA’s budget and initiatives, underscoring the importance of collaboration and transparency in advancing space exploration and scientific research.
