Obama backs $2 billion NASA funding

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama has laid out a space plan that includes $2 billion in new funding for NASA.

Sen. Obama, D-Ill., made his proposal, which continues many initiatives proposed by President George Bush, while criticizing the Republican's "poor planning and inadequate funding" for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Washington Post said Tuesday.

He noted that under current administration policies there will be a five-year period after 2010 when "the United States will have to depend on foreign rockets and spacecraft to send Americans to orbit" -- even to the largely U.S.-funded $100 billion international space station.

"As president, I'll make our space program a priority again by devoting the attention and resources needed to not only inspire the world with feats of exploration but also improve life here on Earth," Obama said.

His Republican opponent, Arizona Sen. John McCain, responded by telling Florida business leaders that Obama should not be trusted to support the program since he has changed his position on NASA funding only in recent months.