It wasn’t long ago NASA administrators were lamenting ongoing cuts to the world’s leading space agency’s annual budget were putting the US at risk of falling behind its competitors.

No one remembers, but in the 1960s the line item for NASA made up more than 4% of the federal US budget. Once a few footprints were made in space, however, the shine was off the moon rock. A decade later, NASA’s budget had been slashed by two-thirds in real dollars, and only briefly topped 1% of the federal budget again over the next 50 years.

Today it hovers around 0.5%, which still translates to more than $20 billion a year in funding. Indeed, the Biden administration proposed allocating nearly $25 billion to NASA in 2022 to support moon exploration and more.

As craft go up, costs come down. It can cost up to $400 million to lift some United Launch Alliance ships off the ground. That’s one reason why NASA is so interested in its so-called Venture Class of launch vehicles, smaller vessels that carry smaller payloads but lower risks, especially to the bottom line if they end up cone down. These rockets are priced at a few million dollars apiece, chump change, especially for those, ahem, explorers named Branson or Bezos.

SON, THE NETHERLANDS – Neways Electronics reported 2021 net revenue of €469.5 million (US$527.9 million), down 1.9% compared to 2020, largely due to the rationalization of less profitable customers. Growth with existing clients was dampened by continued material shortages and supply chain disruptions.

MOUNT PLEASANT, PA — Intervala today announced its acquisition of Manchester, NH-based electronics manufacturing services provider EPE Corp. for an undisclosed amount.

BANNOCKBURN, IL — Sales at North American printed circuit board fabricators were up 7.7% compared to the same month last year.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY and PRINTED CIRCUIT DESIGN AND FAB today announced the 2022 New Product Introduction Award winners for electronics assembly equipment, materials, software, and PCB fabrication.

The 15th annual NPI Awards recognize leading new products during the past 12 months. An independent panel of practicing industry engineers selected the recipients.

HELSINKI – Scanfil reported fourth quarter revenue of €191.7 million (US$213.6 million), an increase of 24.5% year-over-year.

SANTA ANA, CA – Ducommun reported fourth quarter Electronic Systems net revenue was $106 million, an increase of 7% year-over-year.

MIAMI – Element Solutions reported electronics fourth quarter net sales increased 16% year-over-year to $400 million. Organic net sales increased 1%.

WESTLAKE, OH – Nordson reported fiscal first quarter sales for the Advanced Technology Solutions segment were $285.2 million, up 19.8% year-over-year. Organic sales increased 21%, partially offset by an unfavorable currency impact of 1%. The segment had double-digit organic sales demand across all end markets, with particular strength in its electronics dispense and biopharma fluid component product lines.

WASHINGTON – Today President Biden is meeting with administration and state partners, industry executives, community representatives, labor leaders, and California Governor Gavin Newsom to announce major investments in domestic production of critical minerals and materials, according to a White House press release.

KYOTO and AUSTIN – Murata Electronics North America and Resonant have entered into a definitive agreement under which Murata will acquire all outstanding shares of Resonant not owned by Murata for $4.50 per share in cash.

PEACHTREE CITY, GA – PCB East will offer a full day of free classes during its annual technical conference and exhibition in April in Marlborough, MA.