**Title: New Funding Proposal Allocates Nearly $10 Billion for Space Infrastructure Enhancements in 2025**

In a significant boost for space exploration, a key piece of a newly proposed bill, Section 0005, seeks to allocate $9.995 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to enhance critical infrastructure.

One major beneficiary of this proposal is the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, which would receive $700 million for its commercial procurement. This dual-use orbiter is designed to support NASA's Mars Sample Return campaign, as well as future crewed missions to Mars. However, it's important to note that President Trump’s 2026 budget request has proposed canceling the Mars Sample Return project.

Additionally, the proposal includes $2.6 billion to fully fund the Gateway, a space station set to orbit the moon. This station is currently a crucial element of NASA's Artemis program, although it faces potential cancellation under President Trump’s 2026 budget plan.

The Space Launch System (SLS), pivotal to NASA’s Artemis missions, is slotted for a substantial $4.1 billion in funding. These funds are earmarked for the Artemis 4 and 5 missions, ensuring the continued use of the SLS rocket to transport astronauts to the moon. While the proposal supports the SLS, it doesn’t preclude the future utilization of commercial rockets such as SpaceX’s Starship once they become operational.

A notable but smaller allocation is $20 million, set aside for the continued procurement of the fourth Orion Crew Vehicle. This capsule is intended for use with the SLS on Artemis 4 and later missions. Under the White House’s proposed budget for 2026, both the SLS and Orion programs face termination post-Artemis 3, which is scheduled for launch in 2027.

In support of the International Space Station (ISS), the proposal allocates $1.25 billion spread over five years. This funding is aimed at maintaining ISS operations until its planned conclusion in 2030, facilitating a smooth transition to commercially-operated space stations in Low Earth Orbit. Accompanying this is $325 million designated for the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, which SpaceX has been chosen to build. This vehicle will safely deorbit the ISS at the end of its service life.

The proposed bill also addresses infrastructure needs at NASA’s human spaceflight centers, with a $1 billion allocation. This funding aims to primarily target human spaceflight centers and infrastructure essential for outpacing China in space exploration to Mars and the Moon. Currently, NASA's infrastructure backlog exceeds $5 billion.

For specific infrastructure improvements:
- Stennis Space Center is slated to receive $120 million for repairs and upgrades, critical for testing heavy-lift rocket engines.
- Kennedy Space Center would benefit from $250 million aimed at repairs. This center is pivotal as NASA's primary launch site.
- Johnson Space Center is earmarked $300 million for its crucial role in mission control and space operations.
- Marshall Space Flight Center, a key propulsion research hub, is set to receive $100 million in infrastructure funding.
- Michoud Assembly Facility will also receive $30 million for necessary repairs and updates.

This comprehensive allocation underscores a robust commitment to advancing U.S. space capabilities and infrastructure.