NASA primarily gets its funding through the annual federal budget. Each year, Congress allocates money to various federal agencies, including NASA, through a process known as budgetary resources.
NASA's Funding Process
Here’s a breakdown of how NASA receives its funding:
- Congressional Allocation: Each fiscal year, Congress decides how much money each federal agency receives. This allocation is part of the larger federal budget.
- Budgetary Resources: The money allocated by Congress to NASA is referred to as budgetary resources.
- Obligations: NASA then uses these budgetary resources by making financial promises or commitments called obligations. These are for projects, contracts, and other operational expenses.
Example: FY 2024 Funding
According to the provided reference, in Fiscal Year 2024, NASA received $34.10 billion in budgetary resources. This amount was distributed across NASA's sub-components.
| Year | NASA Budget (Billions) |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $34.10 |
Summary
In essence, NASA’s funding comes from the federal government, with Congress determining the annual budget. These funds are then used to support NASA’s various space exploration and scientific research programs.
