The recent economic downturn has put pressure on our government to decrease unnecessary spending. NASA is a vulnerable organization with discretionary funding that could possibly be slashed to save funds. The newly elected administration will decide NASA's future fate. President-elect Barack Obama has promised funds to NASA but it is questionable if he will be able to keep all of his promises. He will have to cut things out of the budget. In our struggle to get stop this economic downturn, some sacrifices will need to be made and not every government funded organization will be satisfied with the funds they receive. NASA is in a dilemma with the proposed retirement of the space shuttle in 2010. It is being retired to save funds for the new Constellation spacecraft needed to get to the moon by 2020. One of the main goals of this moon mission is to build a long term base and use it to prepare for a future similar trip to Mars. The new spacecraft will not be completed until 2015, leaving a five year gap without a way to launch astronauts into orbit except with the help of Russia. A funding conflict has emerged.
[...] Obama Suggests Billion In New Funding for NASA. Washington Post, p. A-SECTION; Pg. A04. Kaufman, Marc (2007, March 9). 'Planet Killer' Not in the Stars, Asteroid Research Indicates; NASA Urged to Find Ways to Deflect Smaller Threats . Washington Post, p. A Section; A03. (2008, June 23). Making NASA Relevant Again. Aviation Week & Space Technology, Vol No [78]. Morring, Jr., Frank (2008, May 8).News; Pg Vol No Aerospace Daily & Defense Report No NASA GROUNDS ITS IDEAS FACTORY BECAUSE OF FUNDING SHORTAGE. (2007, March [...]
[...] If the space shuttles are retired and no new funds are added to keep NASA space travel afloat for the five year gap, there is a risk that the United States' relationship with Russia may dwindle to the point that it prevents our space agencies from working together. This would be a huge blow to U.S. space travel. NASA could still function and make progress, but a staple of the agency is having the ability to send astronauts into orbit. [...]
[...] Barack Obama may go back on his promise NASA funding and decide to make cuts in an attempt to desperately balance the federal budget. If NASA has another disaster, this may very well be a possibility. And, if it does occur, many potential benefits provided by NASA could be lost in the future. This may hurt our country's advancement as a whole, as many advancements have been made as the result of NASA existence in the past 50 years. Observations Over the years, NASA has provided countless benefits for America and the rest of the world. [...]
[...] These events have been a public relations nightmare for NASA over the years. In the current political and economic climate that surrounds us, how we spend taxpayer dollars is becoming an increasingly greater concern. At the same time, in House and Senate hearings, lawmakers have described the distance between NASA's missions and its budget as a "train wreck," as a possible precursor to safety problems, and as a pulling back from the U.S. commitment to remain the leading space traveling nation. [...]
[...] NASA symbolized what America was about; pushing the limits, achieving the unthinkable, and being a world leader. When NASA landed humans on the moon in 1969 its support from the public was at its peak. It won the space race against Russia with this feat, and there hasn't been an accomplishment by NASA since that stimulated public interest to the same extent. Assumptions With the desperation in the air, any programs not perceived as a necessity are at risk of losing funds. [...]
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