NASA

Budget and performance demands launch NASA into a new era of science and space exploration that will rely heavily on new technology and commercial partnerships in the 21st century.

The controversial new plans involve canceling a program that would send astronauts back to the moon by 2020, extending operations of the International Space Station (ISS), enhancing global climate change research, and building partnerships with private sector space transportation industries, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced Monday.

NASA's revised strategies came in the wake of President Obama's 2011 fiscal year budget release. NASA will receive an increase of $6 billion over the next five years--an overall $100 billion.

More details:

-- Constellation ends: President Obama's budget cancels the program that would return astronauts back to the moon by 2020. An independent panel found the program was overbudget, behind schedule, largely based on existing technologies and drew funding away from other NASA programs. $9 billion has been spent on Constellation and an additional $2.5 billion would be needed over two years to close out costs.

-- ISS would not retire until at least 2020 instead of 2016. The orbiting laboratory would continue to host research and testing purposes in space.

-- The space shuttle program's remaining five missions would launch by the end of 2010.

-- NASA would no longer operate its own spacecraft. $6.1 billion over five years would be invested to develop commercially provided astronaut transportation to the ISS.

-- NASA has selected Blue Origin of Kent, Wash.; The Boeing Company of Houston; Paragon Space Development of Tucson, Ariz.; Sierra Nevada Corporation of Louisville, Colo.; and United Launch Alliance of Centennial, Colo., to create crew concepts and testing demonstrations.

-- Bolden said as many as 5,000 jobs may be created in the U.S. commercial crew industry and other business sectors are expected to spur. The report did not include how many NASA layoffs the move may create.

-- Invest in several new technology programs that would enhance space exploration and human spaceflights, including: 

-- $7.8 billion over five years on developing technologies to make future human and robotic low-Earth orbit, and inner solar system spaceflights faster and more affordable.

-- $3 billion over five years for robotic exploration precursor missions that would pave the way for later human exploration of the moon, Mars and nearby asteroids.

-- $3.1 billion over five years for new heavy-lift research and other launch systems focusing on the development of new engines, propellants and other materials to enhance new beyond-Earth orbits.

-- Improve capabilities for forecasting climate change and natural disasters, including re-flight of a satellite that would help identify global carbon sources and sinks. The agency would also further research to reduce fuel needs, noise and aircraft emissions.

-- Continue research grants for missions currently studying planets and stars. Also includes funding for education campaigns, such as NASA's Summer of Innovation program for middle schools students.

Bolden acknowledged the new strategies were a big change. "But it is a change from the guiding principles of NASA. . . It enables us to draw more strongly on the ingenuity of the commercial sector and create deeper ties with our international partners." 

Reports of the plan leaked last week. Constellation's end was one of the changes that drew criticism from many space enthusiasts, including members of the Senate.

Congress is yet to approve NASA's restructuring plans. 

Reach reporter Len Ly here.