Trump funds NASA, Mars exploration

President Donald Trump has signed into law a bill that adds exploration of Mars as a NASA goal.

The new law also authorises $US19.5 billion ($A25.3 billion) in space agency funding for the 2017 budget year, which began October 1. Trump recently sent Congress a budget proposal that authorises $US19.1 billion for the space agency next year.

The measure amends current law to add human exploration of Mars as one of NASA's objectives. It also directs NASA to manage human space flight programs to help humans explore Mars and other destinations.

Trump signed the bill Tuesday in the Oval Office surrounded by astronauts and bill sponsors.