The Augustine Commission, officially known as the Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee, was formed in 2009 by President Barack Obama to review NASA's human spaceflight program and provide recommendations for its future direction. This was in response to concerns about the sustainability and affordability of NASA's current programs, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
The Augustine Commission's final report, released in 2009, recommended several changes to NASA's human spaceflight program. These included extending the life of the International Space Station, investing in commercial spaceflight capabilities, and developing a new heavy-lift rocket to replace the Space Shuttle. The report also suggested cancelling the Constellation program, which aimed to return astronauts to the Moon, and instead focusing on sending humans to Mars in the future.
Yes, the Augustine Commission's recommendations have had a significant impact on NASA's budget. In 2010, President Obama signed into law the NASA Authorization Act, which provided funding for many of the changes recommended by the commission. However, there have been ongoing debates and budget cuts that have affected the implementation of these changes.
The Augustine Commission's report emphasized the importance of international partnerships in space exploration. The commission recommended that NASA continue to collaborate with other countries, including Russia, Europe, and Japan, on projects such as the International Space Station. However, the cancellation of the Constellation program and shift towards commercial spaceflight may have impacted some of these partnerships.
The Augustine Commission's recommendations have set the course for NASA's human spaceflight program for the next decade and beyond. As a result, we can expect to see continued investment in commercial spaceflight capabilities, a focus on deep space exploration and missions to Mars, and ongoing partnerships with other countries. However, budget constraints and changing political priorities may impact the implementation of these recommendations.