Panel sidesteps Constellation

WASHINGTON - A House panel agreed Tuesday to accept President Obama's proposed funding increase for NASA, but without taking a position on changing the agency's course. The House appropriations subcommittee governing NASA unanimously approved $19 billion for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, a nearly $276 million increase from the current year. The panel opted to take to take no position on White House plans to scrap NASA's moon-rocket program and replace the space shuttle with commercial rockets. (Sources: Multiple, including Florida Today, Orlando Sentinel, 06/30/10) Gulf Coast note: Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans are both key NASA centers.