NASA chief scales back space agency's plans

Reuters on Yahoo ^ | 12/6/05 | Adam Tanner - Reuters

[NormsRevenge]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The head of NASA said on Tuesday that the U.S. space agency has had to scale back its plans even since he took the job in April because of "daunting fiscal realities."

In early 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush outlined a vision of returning humans back to the moon by 2020 and eventually to Mars. Some had hoped such a program would reignite public interest in the space program that has waned since the 1960s and early 1970s.

"We must also acknowledge the plain fact that we cannot do everything that was on our plate when I assumed office," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said in prepared remarks to a conference of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco. Griffin did not say specifically which programs might be cut or delayed by the budget constraints.

"All of you know many reasons why this is so. NASA can only move forward on our fundamental missions of exploration, science and aeronautics at the pace that available resources will allow."

Last month Griffin said the agency faced a $3 billion to $5 billion shortfall in its space shuttle program alone over the next five years.

On Tuesday, he said the agency's ambitious plans for new missions would not shortchange science, which critics say has taken a back seat amid efforts to keep the International Space Station in orbit.

"I am aware that many in the science community have questioned NASA's commitment to science, and believe their own work to be gravely threatened by the vision for space exploration," he said.

"I have frequently stated my belief that exploration will be a boon for science in the long term. I have also said on many occasions that it is not our desire to sacrifice present day scientific efforts for the sake of future benefits to be derived from exploration," he said.

"We who run NASA today are doing our very best to preserve these efforts in the face of, frankly, some daunting fiscal realities. But we also must avoid setting unrealistic expectations."

NASA's plans to return to the moon envision a capsule sitting atop a rocket, similar to that used in the Apollo program, and a separate heavy-lift vehicle to take cargo into orbit. Man last walked on the moon in 1972.

[monkapotamus]

I would like to take a vacation on the Moon.

[EagleUSA]

This is a sad sign for America. The perverted political mindset of Washington has no problem throwing away $100 BILLION or more a year to subsidize illegal aliens, but NASA gets short-sheeted for a few billion.

Sick.

[Altair333]

"but NASA gets short-sheeted for a few billion."

So we can go visit the moon again that we've already visited? Or so we can spend a lot more and maybe visit Mars? Not how I want my tax dollars being spent- I'd rather build better roads and infrastructure here on earth. They could cut NASA's budget far more than they have already as far as I'm concerned.

[BoBToMatoE]

I agree 100%. I really do not like how Bush basically said to go to the moon on a shoe string budget.

[When do we get liberated?]

In 15th century Spain, they called your type "flat Earthers"

[truemiester]

to bad. We are the only nation that can do the big things.

[Altair333]

In 15th century Spain, they called your type "flat Earthers"

Oh, I believe the earth is round. The moon too. I just don't want to spend 10 billion dollars so we go do something we've already done before. And I have a real hard time understanding the motivation of those who do. But whatever.

[Names Ash Housewares]

So many damned maniacs in the world like Bin Laden and Saddam. All the money spent opposing them. All the lives lost because of them. Someday they will all be gone forever. Humanity will put its full force behind bettering this world and moving beyond. But until then, we take baby steps into space, dreaming beyond the horizon. Keeping it alive despite the monsters that would wish us destruction.

[EagleUSA]

They could cut NASA's budget far more than they have already as far as I'm concerned.
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It is not attitudes like this, that have put the accomplishments and learning of this country, relative to technology and science, far ahead of the rest of the world. That technology is also a big part of our security. It is a sad day, to see such an important part of our being, discounted in favor of welfare and political spending. Pure selfishness, and it lacking any vision for the future.