The Aerospace Industries Association tells ANN that the Senate's action to increase NASA's aeronautics research and development budget and fully fund the nation's space exploration program is an important step toward safeguarding the U.S. position as the world's aerospace leader, AIA President and CEO John Douglass said.

As part of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill approved Thursday, the Senate increased aeronautics funding for Fiscal Year 2006 to $859.3 million. AIA worked with Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia) to boost spending in this important area within the NASA budget.

The $16.4 billion bill also fully funds the nation's Vision for Space Exploration, endorsing the president's plan to return American astronauts to the moon and travel on to Mars. The bill maps out the completion of the International Space Station as well as the phase-out of the space shuttle and its replacement with the planned Crew Exploration Vehicle.

The House bill, passed in July, also fully funds space exploration while providing $962 million for aeronautics research.

"The fact both chambers increased funding for aeronautics in their NASA bills shows its critical importance to the future of U.S. aerospace," Douglass said.

"Just as importantly, the bill provides funds to support America's role as the world's leading space exploration power, ensuring NASA and its partners can continue to develop a rich reserve of scientific technologies to improve our quality of life."

Also included in the bill is money to continue the initial steps of planning the Next Generation Air Transportation System, a technologically advanced upgrade of American air traffic control and security.

FMI: www.aia-aerospace.org