“Further, drawing on the interests and capabilities of our industry and international partners, we’ll develop progressively complex robotic missions to the surface of the Moon with scientific and exploration objectives in advance of human return there.“As before, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft are critical backbone elements for this effort and for moving farther into deep space. Their momentum continues this year toward the first integrated launch of the system in fiscal year 2020 around the Moon and a mission with crew in 2023.“Technology drives exploration, both human and robotic, and helps us solve problems in space and on Earth. We will focus on applications of technology toward deep space exploration, and innovative ways to further our goals from concept to testing and flight.“The agency also will realign our organizational structure to best meet this new exploration focus. I’ve asked Space Technology Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Steve Jurczyk to lead an effort to design the new organizational approach.“Our wide ranging science work also is enabled on many fronts in this budget, and it will continue to lead the world in its size, scope, and scientific output.“NASA science increases understanding of our planet and our place in the universe, pursues civilization-level discoveries, such as whether there is life elsewhere in the universe, and scouts for knowledge to inform future human advancement into space. Our robust scientific activity will include missions to Mars; lunar surface missions that leverage commercial capabilities; diverse Earth and planetary missions; and spacecraft to study the Sun and how it influences the very nature of space. Powerful observatories will study other solar systems and their planets and peer back to the dawn of time through other galaxies. One hard decision we had to make was the proposed cancellation of the WFIRST mission in astrophysics and to redirect those resources to other agency priorities.“NASA’s work has always strengthened our security and the economy, and our ongoing research and testing of new aeronautics technologies is critical in these areas. It will help us lead the world in a global aviation economy with increasing benefits worldwide. Commercial supersonic flight, unmanned aviation systems, advanced hypersonics technologies, and the next generation of aircraft are some of the critical focuses of this important program for our nation under this budget.“While the budget does not provide funding for an Office of Education, NASA’s mission successes will continue to inspire the next generation to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies, join us on our journey of discovery, and become the diverse workforce we’ll need for tomorrow’s critical aerospace careers. We will use every opportunity to engage learners in our work and the many ways it encourages educators, students, and the public to continue making their own discoveries.“This budget also funds ongoing operations of NASA centers and ensures core services are optimized to achieve a safe and healthy workplace. It also strengthens cybersecurity capabilities by safeguarding critical data and systems.“We can’t do everything, and as always, we’ve had to make hard choices, but we will continue to forge new paths and partnerships that strengthen our industrial base and our engagement with other nations to achieve challenging goals that advance our capabilities and increase our security and economic strength.“NASA will continue to deliver on the promise of U.S. ingenuity and proven leadership in space.”For more details about the Fiscal Year2019, budget, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/budget This press release originally appeared on NASA.gov