Nasa's budget is under the spotlight. According to a report in the New York Times, its mission to return astronauts to the moon would be grounded as part of a stringent 2011 budget.

According to reports, the space agency would get an additional $5.9 billion over five years to encourage private companies to build, launch and operate their own spacecraft for the benefit of Nasa and others. Nasa would pay the private companies to carry US astronauts.

So, how much does the US spend on Nasa and the space programme? Thanks to the Office of Management and Budget, we have data going back to 1962 on federal spending for each area of government. Figures from 1958 to 1962 are from richardb.us. We've worked out Nasa spending as percentage of government spending - and added which president was in charge at the time.

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