Weldon proposes $10 billion to keep shuttle flying

U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon is seeking to inject an extra $10 billion into NASA's budget over the next five years to eliminate the gap between the space shuttle and its proposed replacement.

Weldon today is introducing a legislative plan that would add two space shuttle missions per year in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The plan also would accelerate development of the Ares rockets and Orion crew exploration vehicle so they would be ready to fly around 2013, after the last shuttle flight. Weldon says the goal is to make sure the United States continues to have a way to launch people to space, rather than going at least five years without such a capability.

"I know this is an uphill battle," Weldon told FLORIDA TODAY in an interview this morning. "The money is there. This is an issue of priorities."

Weldon is introducing the legislation as soon as possible. One option is to make it part of the ongoing conference committee negotiations between House and Senate leaders trying to finalize the current year's federal budget.

Weldon has not spelled out what the space shuttle missions would do, but rather that the program continue flying. He said he agrees that the space shuttle needs to be retired for safety, financial and other reasons. However, he said, "we need a soft landing." Analyses by local government agencies estimate that 2,500 to 3,500 space workers will lose their jobs in the transition from the shuttle to the new moon program vehicles.

Weldon is set to lay out the details of his proposal during a 1 p.m. news conference at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.