NASA Mission To Mars: Congress Votes Yes On Bill Instructing Agency To Send Humans To Planet By 2033

For the first time in six years, Congress passed a NASA authorization bill that involves numerous human exploration programs, including a long-term goal of sending individuals to Mars by 2033, Space News first reported.

The bill, NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (S.442), was approved on March in the House of Representatives by a voice vote with no members against it, weeks after the legislation passed the Senate unanimously on Feb. 17.

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The bill allocates $19.5 billion in spending for NASA in fiscal year 2017. The legislation instructs the space agency to look into a “Mars human spaceflight mission to be launched in 2033.”

The American Astronomical Society provided a breakdown of the budget last September, which lists funding for human exploration, space operations, science, aeronautics, education and more.

What Does The New NASA Bill Include?

Congress asks NASA to “develop a human exploration roadmap” for a Mars flight mission in 2033. The bill also includes the To Research, Evaluate, Assess, and Treat Astronauts Act (TREAT Astronauts Act), which focuses on long-term medical monitoring of former astronauts.

Another section of the bill, titled Assuring Core Capabilities For Exploration, asks NASA to “continue the development of the fully integrated Space Launch System, including an upper stage needed to go beyond low-Earth orbit, in order to safely enable human space exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond over the course of the next century.” That section also requests NASA to continue working on an uncrewed exploration missions by both the Space Launch System and Orion by 2018.

The bill also calls for the development of a Mars rover for a 2020 mission. The rover would bring back samples of the planet to Earth so scientists can better understand Mars in preparation for potential human exploration.

The legislation also backs NASA’s interest in Europa, Jupiter’s moon, since it “may provide a habitable environment, as it contains key ingredients known to support life,” the bill said. Congress expressed its support for a robotic exploration mission to Europa.

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The bill will now have to be signed by President Donald Trump, but it seems likely. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said at Thursday’s press briefing Trump is “very keen on America's role in space,” although Spicer avoided talking about the budget.

Trump has previously praised NASA and has voiced support for space exploration. In his inauguration address, Trump said he was “ready to unlock the mysteries of space.”