[Crazieman]

They axed JIMO, Mars sample return, and the Terrestrial Planet Finder??? Wha???

Noooooooo :(

[RightWhale]

efforts to look for habitable planets and perhaps life elsewhere in the galaxy

When reported a month ago the reaction was: so, what's that. There is zero interest in finding habitable planets.

[Termite_Commander]

Among the casualties in the budget, released last month, are efforts to look for habitable planets and perhaps life elsewhere in the galaxy, an investigation of the dark energy that seems to be ripping the universe apart, bringing a sample of Mars back to Earth and exploring for life under the ice of Jupiter's moon Europa...

That sounds hilarious. Well, to me anyway.

Programs that are being cut include: SETI type program, getting our hands on some Martian rock samples, and figuring out what's tearing the universe apart.

Are you sure we shouldn't be funding that last one? Sounds kinda important. =P

On a serious note though, too bad they're cutting the Europa-exploration-thing. If there's one place in the solar system where life exists, I'd imagine it would be on Europa.

[KevinDavis]

[Mulder]

Really no surprise here. America is on the decline. This is yet another example.

If you think the budget cuts are bad now, just wait until the boomers start retiring and voting to maintain and increase their current benefits. Those selfish fools have run up $8 trillion in debt, to be paid by the grandchildren. So what's a few more trillion? So what if we lose the space race? The important thing is that gramps makes his tee-off time and gets his cocktail of drugs.

Maybe the chinese will give an American a token ride to Mars 50 years from now, if they can find one that isn't obese or dumb as a load of bricks. Probably not.

[SunkenCiv]

"an investigation of the dark energy that seems to be ripping the universe apart"

"Dark energy" might not exist, scientists say
World Science | Feb. 14, 2006 | some geek who doesn't have a Valentine
Posted on 02/28/2006 1:17:49 PM EST by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1587112/posts

"efforts to look for habitable planets"

Optical Device Cancels Starlight So Astronomers Can See Distant Planets
University of Arizona | 02/28/06 | Lori Stiles
Posted on 03/01/2006 7:07:08 PM EST by KevinDavis
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1588117/posts

"bringing a sample of Mars back to Earth"

ill-advised.

"NASA needs the money to keep the space shuttle fleet aloft"

Cancel US support for the ISS. Problem solved. Or, stop flying the STS, and use the money to develop (or redevelop) heavy lift capability to complete the ISS in a more economical manner (but hardly on schedule).