Glenn Research Center - Future of Glenn

Future of Glenn

After 2004, NASA had been shifting its focus towards space exploration as mandated by the Vision for Space Exploration. Because of this, it was perceived by some that regional NASA centers like Glenn, which focus on research and technology, were becoming more and more marginalized in terms of resources and relevance. However, on May 13, 2006, it was announced that NASA Glenn Research Center had secured management of the Crew Exploration Vehicle's service module, which promised to generate billions of dollars and hundreds of jobs for the center. This work secured the center's future in the near term, and signalled a shift in priority for the center from aeronautical research to space exploration, aligning itself closer with NASA's new mission.

Another change of direction created uncertainty in 2010, however, when President Obama and Congress declared the end of the Vision for Space Exploration and sought to chart a new course for human space flight and NASA. Nonetheless, at the present time, NASA Glenn's future remains assured with a combination of aeronautics research, advanced technology and spaceflight hardware development. Although the Obama administration has not approved a budget for NASA as of March 2011, the currently proposed budget would actually increase funding to Glenn Research Center by $100 million.