Ameer Randolph
NASA's budget and expenditure have always been a topic of interest and scrutiny. The public often overestimates the agency's budget, with many believing it consumes a far larger share of federal spending than it actually does. NASA's fuel expenditure is a significant component of its overall budget. For instance, the agency spent $350,000 on a test firing that lasted nine minutes, costing taxpayers approximately $647.66 per second. This expenditure is just a small fraction of NASA's overall budget, which was $22.6 billion for the fiscal year 2020, representing 0.48% of the United States' total planned expenditure for that year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost of LOX and LH propellant per gallon | $1.65 |
| Cost of a nine-minute test firing | $346,500 |
| Cost of RS-25 engines per piece | $40 million |
| Cost of four RS-25 engines | $160 million |
| Cost of SLS program | $35 billion |
| NASA's budget for FY 2020 | $22.6 billion |
| NASA's budget for 2016 | $19.3 billion |
| NASA's budget peak year | 1964-66 |
| NASA's budget peak percentage of federal spending | 4.41% |
| Average American estimate of NASA's share of federal budget | 20% |
| Actual NASA's share of federal budget | 0.5% |
| Average amount spent by Americans on NASA through personal income tax in 2009 | <$9 |
| NASA's investment in U.S. manufacturing in FY 2012 | $5 billion |
| NASA's investment in the technology sector in FY 2012 | $2 billion |
| NASA's budget for planetary science program in 2016 | $1.63 billion |
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What You'll Learn
NASA's budget for 2020 ($22.6 billion)
NASA's budget for the 2020 fiscal year was $22.6 billion, accounting for 0.48% of all US government spending. This was a 5.3% increase from the previous fiscal year, and the budget was distributed differently throughout the space program.
The budget was finalized on December 20, 2019, when President Trump signed the legislation. This ended an extended budget process that saw NASA receive $22.6 billion, with a supplemental budget request of $300 million for an upgraded second stage. This took the total program budget to a record $2.6 billion in 2020.
NASA's Planetary Science Division, responsible for robotic missions throughout the solar system, received $2.7 billion in the 2020 budget. This was slightly less than the previous year, which was a record high. The SLS program, which had an estimated total program cost of $35 billion, received $3 billion in 2020.
NASA's budget has historically represented a significant portion of federal spending. It peaked in 1964-66 when it consumed roughly 4% of all federal spending. A 1971 study concluded that the $25 billion spent on civilian space R&D from 1958-1969 returned $181 billion by 1987. NASA has also invested in US manufacturing, with $5 billion invested in FY 2012, $2 billion of which went to the technology sector. As a federal agency, NASA's funding comes from the annual federal budget passed by the US Congress.
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Cost of fuel per gallon ($1.65)
The cost of fuel is a significant expense for NASA, with the space agency spending approximately $350,000 on fuel for a nine-minute test firing. This works out to be about $647.66 per second. To put this into perspective, the cost of fuel per gallon is $1.65, according to a NASA-published fact sheet. This price is for LOX and LH propellant.
The high cost of fuel is just one of the many expenses that NASA incurs in its pursuit of space exploration. The space agency has a substantial budget, with its allocation for the financial year 2020 being $22.6 billion. This amount represents 0.48% of the United States' planned expenditure for that fiscal year.
NASA's budget has fluctuated over the years, peaking in the mid-1960s when it consumed around 4% of federal spending. This surge in funding was driven by the perceived national security threat posed by the Soviet Union's advancements in spaceflight. However, after the United States successfully landed men on the Moon, NASA faced challenges in sustaining political support for its ambitious space exploration goals.
Despite the significant costs associated with NASA's operations, many argue that the space agency provides invaluable contributions to scientific and technological advancements. Space exploration has been a catalyst for innovations in satellite communications, weather forecasting, GPS technology, robotics, computers, and digital photography, and more. Additionally, NASA's efforts have played a pivotal role in inspiring and driving science and technology education. While there is public scrutiny and debate over NASA's budget and expenditures, with perceptions of its budget share often being higher than the actual amount, the agency continues to play a significant role in pushing the boundaries of space exploration and its associated technological advancements.
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Total spent on fuel ($350,000)
In 2015, NASA spent $350,000 on fuel for a nine-minute test firing of the RS-25 engine, which was last used to power the Space Shuttle into orbit. The test firing generated 8.4 million pounds of thrust, intended to lift the Space Launch System (SLS) into orbit with a 70-ton payload. The SLS is expected to cost NASA at least $160 million per launch.
The $350,000 spent on fuel for the test firing is a small fraction of NASA's total budget, which was $19.3 billion in 2016, out of $3.95 trillion in federal spending. NASA's budget for the fiscal year 2020 is $22.6 billion, representing 0.48% of the $4.7 trillion the United States plans to spend in the fiscal year. NASA's budget has historically ranged from 0.5% to under 1% of federal spending, although it peaked at 4% in 1964-1966 during the Apollo program.
NASA has been criticised for its spending and cost overruns, with some arguing that the money could be better spent on more immediate concerns such as social welfare programs. However, NASA and related agencies have been significant drivers of new technology, including satellite communications, weather forecasting, GPS, modern robotics, computers, digital photography, and fuel cells. The space program has also been a powerful driver of science and technology education.
NASA's spending has a range of economic impacts, with the agency investing nearly $5 billion in U.S. manufacturing in FY 2012, with $2 billion going to the technology sector. The agency's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards in FY 2016 created 2,412 jobs, $474 million in economic output, and $57.3 million in fiscal impact with an initial investment of $172.9 million.
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NASA's budget breakdown
NASA's budget has been a topic of public debate, with critics questioning the return on investment of its research and development endeavours. While the public perceives NASA's budget allocation to be significantly higher, it actually only accounts for a small percentage of federal spending. For instance, in 2016, NASA's budget was $19.3 billion, constituting about 0.5% of the total federal expenditure of $3.95 trillion. This share of federal spending has been relatively consistent, ranging from 0.5% to under 1% in the late '90s and the first decade of the 2000s.
NASA's budget for the financial year 2020 was $22.6 billion, representing 0.48% of the United States' planned spending for that fiscal year. NASA's budget peaked in the period from 1964 to 1966, consuming approximately 4% of all federal spending, with the Apollo program alone accounting for more than half of NASA's budget. This surge in funding was driven by the perceived national security threat posed by the Soviet Union's advancements in spaceflight.
NASA's budget allocations have had a significant impact on the economy and technological advancements. According to a 2013 report, NASA invested nearly $5 billion in U.S. manufacturing in fiscal year 2012, with $2 billion directed towards the technology sector. NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards in 2016 resulted in the creation of 2,412 jobs, $474 million in economic output, and a fiscal impact of $57.3 million from an initial investment of $172.9 million.
NASA's expenditures also extend to fuel costs for its various programs. For instance, the Space Shuttle program utilised RS-25 engines, which cost about $40 million each. The SLS program, with its goal of reaching full-power test launch capability, is estimated to have a total program cost of $35 billion. While specific fuel costs may not always be available, NASA does provide detailed information on its budget, and watchdog groups monitor its spending.
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Public opinion on NASA's budget
However, other polls suggest that Americans are more likely to say that the US spends too much on space exploration than too little. A 2012 GSS survey found that just two in ten Americans said that the US spends too little on space exploration, while four in ten believed the current spending was adequate, and three in ten believed further cuts should be made. A Harris survey taken in 1970, less than a year after the first moon landing, showed that a majority (56%) thought the landing was not worth the money spent. A separate Harris poll in 1971, however, found that 81% of Americans agreed that "nothing can equal seeing the astronauts land and walk on the moon as it happened live on TV".
Some research suggests that the public supports the idea of space exploration but feels that spending on it is too high. A multivariate regression model developed by one study found that spending preferences on space exploration are largely apolitical and associated with knowledge and opinions about science. In particular, the odds of wanting to increase funding for space exploration are significantly higher for white, male Baby Boomers with a higher socioeconomic status, a fondness for organized science, and a post-secondary science education.
NASA's budget has historically been influenced by the perceived national security threat posed by the Soviet Union's leads in spaceflight, as well as the US victory in the Space Race. Since the 1970s, NASA has accounted for, on average, 0.71% of annual US government spending. Since the 2010s, that value has been between 0.4% and 0.3%. NASA's budget for the 2020 financial year was $22.6 billion, representing 0.48% of the $4.7 trillion the United States planned to spend that fiscal year.
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Frequently asked questions
NASA's fuel costs vary depending on the mission and the type of fuel used. For example, the LOX and LH propellant cost NASA about $1.65 per gallon. For a nine-minute test firing, the fuel cost was approximately $346,500, or $647.66 per second.
NASA's budget has varied over the years. In 2016, it was $19.3 billion, and in 2020, it was $22.6 billion. This represents a small percentage of the total federal budget, typically around 0.5%.
NASA's spending is a small fraction of the total federal budget. While the public often overestimates NASA's budget, it actually accounts for a very small portion of federal spending. The money is spent on space exploration, technology development, and various Earth-based functions.
There are differing opinions on whether NASA is worth the money spent on it. Some argue that the space program has been a powerful driver of new technology, education, and innovation, justifying the investment. Others question the return on investment and believe that the money could be better spent on more immediate concerns or other areas with higher potential returns.
