February 07th, 2010 at 19:24
Posted by Marc
Filed under: Other | Tags: Astronauts, NASA, Obama, Space
Bookmark this on Delicious | Share this on Facebook
This could be no more, soon.
I was so disappointed when I read this, but it’s true. President Barack Obama has created an entirely new budget proposal, and it’s aimed at removing NASA, practically. And so many American children will be crushed by this – what kid is gonna want to be an American astronaut now? I don’t really want to think how devastated they’ll be.
The proposal claims it’s a “bold new course for human spaceflight, a fundamental invigoration of NASA”. Then claiming that NASA’s constellation program was “over budget, behind schedule, and lacking in innovation due to a failure to invest in critical new technologies”. Which, quite clearly, NASA isn’t. NASA for a long time has been regarded as the leader in space efficiency, and has brought light to the face of US space technology. Innovation was key, and now the dreams of a futuristic space future are cut short.
It’s not to say Europe and Russia won’t be developing anymore, but with a budget like the U.S.A., a future in spaceflight would be easier achieved. President Obama has decided the country shouldn’t try exploring space and should quit the space race. Chron writes that “until just two months before his election, he was proposing to use $18 billion of NASA’s budget as a piggybank to fund educational programs”. It’s likely that this could be the case, inevitably.
And still, I have absolutely no idea why Obama would do this. Nobel Peace Prize? Pfft.
[Slashed Nasa Budget via Chron]
ysgwrn
February 9th, 2010
I still have complete respect for Mr Obama & the Democratic Party. I know this is pretty bad and just to save some money? And you're right about those children too. But I don't think we should be too devistated with this. Maybe concentrate more on the problems on our planet's surface at the moment and maybe we can get back to space at a later time. Besides… I'm sure they'll be enough opposition for this, and Obama is sure to re-consider his decision.
Joseph Young
February 11th, 2010
Obama's cutting budget, but it goes pretty far to say that he's backing out of the space race. It's not his call anyway. NASA's still going to be operational, we just won't be having very expensive projects for a while. I guarantee the moment China starts landing on the moon, we're gonna be back in the race with our own achievements.
Marc Lequime
February 11th, 2010
True, in regards to the China call. It's just disappointing to see the hearts of many american children as they realise that there's going to be so few space launches now. The last ever night-time launch took place a day ago.