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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Nunez

DATE TYPED 03-10-05 HB HM46

SHORT TITLE Fully Fund NASA Space Exploration Budget

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates SM30

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 46 – Requesting Congress to Fully Fund the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration Budget Request in Support of the Space Exploration Vision – notes that:

•

space exploration, particularly as carried out under the auspices of the national

aeronautics and space administration, has generated more than its share of dis-

covery through new technologies for everyday application, economic contribu-

tions through new markets and commercial products, education programs for

future explorers, increased security capabilities and a legacy for future genera-

tions;

•

the space exploration vision has set goals of returning the space shuttle to

flight, completing assembly of the international space station, developing the

crew exploration vehicle, returning humans to the moon and pursuing human

exploration of Mars and the solar system;

House Memorial 46 -- Page 2

•

the national aeronautics and space administration has long inspired the next

generation of explorers and scientists by example and through a variety of pro-

grams that encourage young people to pursue professional careers critical to

the nation's future excellence, such as the space settlement design competition,

the national aeronautics and space administration explorer schools and the sci-

ence advisor program that have directly benefited the people of New Mexico;

•

institutions of higher education across New Mexico have benefited immeas-

urably from the more than $25,000,000 they have received in national aeronau-

tics and space administration grants and contracts annually;

•

New Mexico is home to the national aeronautics and space administration's

White Sands test facility and the White Sands complex, which positively im-

pacts the state's economy by employing more than fifty-eight civil servants and

approximately nine hundred forty contractors and by awarding $104,000,000

in national aeronautics and space administration contracts annually;

•

the White Sands test facility provides the expertise and infrastructure to test

and evaluate spacecraft materials, components and propulsion systems in order

to enable the safe exploration and use of space, such as the White Sands space

harbor, facilities for hypervelocity impact testing, including accommodations

for hazardous targets, and a repair depot for components in the toxic hyper-

bolic propellant, oxygen and hydrogen systems aboard the shuttle and the in-

ternational space station;

•

White Sands complex provides tracking and data relay services for spacecraft,

including the shuttle, in low earth orbit using a system of geosynchronous sat-

ellites and ground-based antenna systems; and

•

the talent, technology and infrastructure exist in New Mexico to continue pro-

viding the necessary resources to support national aeronautics and space ad-

ministration's future missions.

The memorial resolves that congress be requested to fully fund the National Aeronautics and

Space Administration budget request in support of space exploration vision, as submitted to con-

gress for FY06, so as to enable the United States and New Mexico to remain leaders in the ex-

ploration and development of space.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The memorial further resolves that copies of the memorial be transmitted to the administrator of

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the President of the United States and the

New Mexico congressional delegation.

BFW/lg