The current budget for NASA that will be used in fiscal 2012 is under some intense debate by those close to the agency. NASA chief Charlie Bolden went to Capitol Hill recently to defend the budget that NASA wants for 2012 against those in Congress that think the budget doesn't adhere closely enough to the outlines that were approved last year.

The debate around the budget has to do with how much funds will be offered to encourage the development of commercial spacecraft, and how much of the money will be put towards building a new heavy lift rocket that could be used to send astronauts into orbit and to the ISS. The heavy lift rocket was being viewed as a potential backup to the commercial spacecraft and private craft like the SpaceX capsule that became the first private spacecraft to hit orbit.

The NASA Authorization bill that was signed into law last year by Obama and set aside money from NASA to fund privately-developed spacecraft that would potentially take over after the final space shuttle mission. The problem some have with the budget that is being outlined for NASA is that it puts less money into the development of the next-generation spacecraft for NASA and more money into funding private development.

The total budget for NASA for fiscal 2012 has the backing of Obama and will lock NASA at 2010 levels amounting to $18.7 billion.

"While last year's Authorization Act was by no means a perfect bill, it did clearly articulate Congress' intention: that NASA pursue a means of transportation that builds on all the work that’s been done over the past five years," said the committee's ranking Democratic member, Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas). "I do not see it reflected in the proposed NASA budget request."

Committee chairman Ralph Hall (R-Texas) said, "The new budget proposal disregards — yes, ignores — our authorization law."

"I get your message loud and clear and so does the president," Bolden said. "I think the budget does, in fact reflect following your guidance." Bolden does admit the funds were redistributed in the budget. He continued saying, "Because these are tough fiscal times we also had to make some difficult choices. Reductions are necessary in some areas so we can invest in our future."