Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama promised more active involvement in the Space Exploration Program, and included $2 billion additional funding for NASA in his congressional plan.

Obama expressed his belief that the United States will continue to be a leading nation is space programs and a permanent presence in space. “I believe NASA needs an inspirational vision for the 21st Century,” Obama said. “My vision will build on the great goals set forth in recent years, to maintain a robust program of human space exploration and ensure the fulfillment of NASA’s mission.”

Barack Obama’s promises are not only ambitious, but also completely opposite to what the Bush Administration has on its agenda for NASA. The Presidential candidate expressed his commitment to “closing the gap” between the space shuttle’s retirement and the Constellation program’s debut, as well as minimize reliance on foreign space capabilities.

Part of Obama’s plan includes support for at least one additional shuttle flight, however this will prove to be a difficult task, since it will require significant funding so as not to interfere with the development of the shuttle’s successor. This would ensure retention of many NASA workers whose jobs will be affected by the five-year gap between the current and the next space mission.

In addition to that, Obama is also planning on repairing the underfunding by the Bush administration, as well as stimulate private sector efforts to develop spaceflight capabilities.

It all sounds good, but it is so strange at the same time, if we take into consideration the fact that Obama has not always been a strong supported of these ideas, and that additional funds for NASA weren’t exactly among his initial plans.

The Republicans consider his sudden shift a political strategy to make up for the problems Obama’s been having in Florida. It still remains uncertain whether Obama will indeed follow these plans or go back to his old ideas if he wins the elections.