The “autopsy” is as much for America`s once-vibrant manned space program as it is for the Discovery vehicle.
I find myself torn on this issue.. while I`d prefer to see the US leading the way in space, the fiscal matters here at home require more immediate attention than moon bases or trips to Mars.
“I find myself torn on this issue.. while I`d prefer to see the US leading the way in space, the fiscal matters here at home require more immediate attention than moon bases or trips to Mars.”
Medicare etc. are among the biggest budget issues the US faces, and thus these indirectly affect all other programs - like the space program. So, when one sees people taking no personal responsibility for their own health, and sees people abusing the system, one is seeing a big reason why there is no money for things like the space program.
Don't fall for this talking point. The NASA budget is less than 1/2 of one percent of the federal budget. You could terminate the whole thing tomorrow and see no budgetary benefit at all. It's the entitlements that are killing us financially.
But more than that, in our modern, industrial high-tech society, our lives are dependent on critical satellite assets for which we currently have no means of protection and maintenance. That was the real purpose and value of returning to the Moon: to build a permanent, space faring system for Earth-Moon space, one that could access all of our national security and economic satellites.
That’s OK. China will fill in the gaps for us.
As if a couple of Moochelle's family and friends vacation jaunts wouldn't fund NASA. I think America can walk and chew gum at the same time so that we can handle the space program along with the economy, the oil crisis and the evil that has taken over our government.
Please refer to post #5