The State of NASA on This Week @NASA

TL;DR

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden gives a positive update on NASA's progress and future plans, including budget increase and advancements in space exploration, aviation, and Earth science.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” “I can unequivocally say that the State of NASA is strong.” That assertion by NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden came during his Feb. 2 “State of NASA” address at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, following the release of President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 $18.5 billion budget proposal for NASA... Read More

Key Insights

• 📞 NASA's budget for Fiscal Year 2016 received a half billion-dollar increase, demonstrating confidence in the agency's exploration program and employees.
• 👶 The focus of NASA's future plans is on developing new vehicles and technologies for human missions to asteroids and Mars.
• ❓ NASA is actively seeking commercial partnerships for transportation to and from the International Space Station.
• 👾 The agency is committed to advancing Earth and climate science, utilizing its expansive view of Earth from space.
• 🤩 Mars is one of the key destinations in NASA's journey of exploration, but the agency's ambitions extend beyond the Red Planet.
• 🌑 New Horizons spacecraft captured new images of Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, ahead of its close flyby in July.
• 💋 The successful launch of SMAP spacecraft marks NASA's fifth Earth Science mission in the past 11 months.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the main highlight of NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden's State of NASA address?

The main highlight was the increase in NASA's budget for Fiscal Year 2016, which shows confidence in the agency's employees and exploration program.

Q: What are NASA's future plans for space exploration?

NASA is working on developing new vehicles and technologies for unprecedented human missions to an asteroid and Mars.

Q: What is NASA's strategy for transportation to and from the International Space Station?

NASA is establishing commercial partnerships to provide transportation to and from the International Space Station from the United States.

Q: In addition to space exploration, what is NASA focusing on here on Earth?

NASA is making efforts to make aviation greener, quieter, and more efficient through technological advancements.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's budget for Fiscal Year 2016 increased by half a billion dollars, indicating confidence in the agency's employees and exploration program.

• NASA is focusing on developing new vehicles and technologies for human missions to an asteroid and Mars and establishing commercial partnerships for transportation to the International Space Station.

• The agency is also committed to advancing Earth science, making aviation greener and more efficient, and continuing the exploration of the solar system and the universe.