Obama and the Space Program

[AztecWilliam]

Several years ago I was watching TV as Nancy Pelosi was being interviewed. Someone asked her what her position was regarding the U.S. space program. She responded, and this is close to verbatim, "I favor spending on the space program just as soon as all our problems her on Earth are solved."

Hmmm. Isn't that a bit like Queen Isabella saying to Christopher Columbus that the good captain could have funding for his pie-in-the-sky exploration plans just as soon as all problems in Spain were solved?

Okay, let's forget that for a moment. Instead, let's focus on some of the possible consequences of Pres. Obama's plan to, in effect, shut down the manned space exploration program in this country. It's true that we have plenty of pressing problems on Earth that must be addressed. However, it appears that eliminating manned space missions will not be cost free.

The linked article discusses this issue. One striking passage is worth quoting. . .

If you went into a British classroom and asked how many children wanted to be a scientist, on average 2% would put their hands up. In India, about 30% would say yes. That's the difference between the west and the emerging economies. . .

www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/01/us-space-mission-cuts-mars

AzWm

[ptsdthor]

I wonder if Obama actually cares about the deficit or is his cancellation of the Constellation program and the NPOESS program just a juvenile striking out at conservatives opponents where they might work.

The Titanic is entitlement spending and discretionary spending freeze/cuts are deck chair re-arrangements.

[AztecWilliam]

Feb 4, 2010 22:20:38 GMT -8 ptsdthor said:

I wonder if Obama actually cares about the deficit or is his cancellation of the Constellation program and the NPOESS program just a juvenile striking out at conservatives opponents where they might work.

The Titanic is entitlement spending and discretionary spending freeze/cuts are deck chair re-arrangements.

I think you are wrong on the first point but very probably correct on the second.

Well, I noticed that Michael Medved essentially endorsed Obama's action re the space program in this radio program yesterday. There certainly are very pressing problems in this country and one can make an argument that the manned space program should not be high on our priority list.

I tend to take the long view. I believe that mankind's destiny must include a vigorous exploration and exploitation (which I mean in the classic sense) of our solar system. But that will only happen if we continue to work at the problem. Shutting down the space program, or even a serious cutback, will make it harder to retain critical personnel. As the author of the linked article points out, if there is no manned space program, one should not expect young people to aspire to careers in that field. One day we may find that we have to start over almost from scratch, at least in terms of rebuilding a corps of trained space scientists and technicians.

Sure, our budget is a problem. But I am thinking of the long run. It's a bit like planting trees; you won't see results for a long time, but if you don't plant those seeds you will never have mature trees.

AzWm

[aztecwin]

It is hard to think that the Space Program is not at least as important as making new "make work" jobs in and around Washington D.C. It may not be as imporant as some think, but there are lots of places to cut before we get there. Start with the Dept of Education.