Nelson: White House to give NASA a “strong go signal”

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) tells Central Florida News 13 that he is “cautiously optimistic” that the White House will provide additional money to NASA in the FY2011 budget proposal, due out next month, but wasn’t specific about what changes in direction the administration might make in the agency’s space exploration plans. “I think he will end up giving a strong go signal to continue to develop this program,” he told the TV station, without elaborating.

Nelson added that he expected an announcement from the White House on a new plan for the agency in advance of the release of the FY11 budget. “My sense is that the president will make this decision and announce it before he comes out with his next budget,” he said. Keep in mind, though, that Nelson said two months ago that he expected a decision around Thanksgiving; if any decision was made it was certainly not announced.