U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee hearing on Apr. 29 to discuss the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for NASA with Administrator Jared Isaacman. During the session, Britt praised the recent Artemis II mission and questioned Isaacman about sustaining Space Launch System (SLS) production and fully implementing funding for nuclear thermal propulsion in fiscal year 2026.
The discussion focused on Marshall Space Flight Center’s role in deep space exploration. “It certainly is incredible to watch history being made and I was honored to be able to join the crew of Artemis II and ask some questions before they came down, and their answers will certainly stay with me, amongst many others,” Britt said. She also thanked Isaacman for his efforts to increase SLS launch cadence and accelerate the Artemis program’s timeline.
Britt asked about what NASA needs in FY27 to keep SLS production lines moving without gaps that could undermine schedules. Isaacman replied, “Couldn’t agree more about the contributions from Marshall Space Flight Center and the importance for a rocket that complicated to be in a cadence … at least on an annual level, or we certainly risk … going back in the barn and having delays.” He explained that funds from recent legislation have been directed toward supporting SLS through Artemis V but noted increased launch frequency would require additional resources.
Addressing future plans beyond Artemis V, Britt questioned why there might be a shift away from proven systems like SLS. Isaacman responded: “I’m not trying to make a transition. I expect SLS to be one of those two pathways… Let us do SLS in a different way, and we’ll be able to get it to you faster and more affordably.”
Britt emphasized concerns over premature changes: “NASA and our space program have been repeatedly plagued with starts and stops… many of which [have] been premature.” She then asked if NASA would implement $110 million appropriated for nuclear thermal propulsion work at Marshall Space Flight Center; Isaacman confirmed: “No question… Very, very much a fan of this capability.”
According to the official website, Britt supports Alabamians through services such as coordinating with federal agencies and nominating candidates for U.S. service academies. She chairs the homeland security appropriations subcommittee according to her official website.
Britt advocates for family values, economic opportunities, social media safeguards for minors according to her official website. Her policy focus includes mental health access, educational options, youth protections online, agricultural aid, as well as national security according to her official website. She holds roles on Senate committees covering appropriations; judiciary; banking housing & urban affairs; rules & administration according to her official website. Previously she led Alabama’s business council according to her official website.
