For years NASA has been crippled by budget cuts and we’ve been forced to use the Russian space program just to reach the international space station. In 2016 this is all to be changed with space operations granted $5.092B including $1.2438B for their commercial crew which is the exact dollar amount requested. NASA has already began plans to build two new space shuttles following the budget increase. These will become the first space shuttles to be launched since the “discovery” was launched for its final mission in early 2011.”Bolden noted that the budget allows NASA to continue development of the Orion crew vehicle, Space Launch System and Exploration Ground Systems that will one day send astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit.The Space Launch System (SLS) is a new heavy-lift rocket, more powerful than any previously built. SLS will be capable of sending humans aboard Orion to deep-space destinations such as an asteroid and Mars.”(quoted from NASA.gov)
https://www.nasa.gov/content/reach-for-new-heights-nasa-budget-unveiled-for-fiscal-year-2016
Orion Space shuttle
What is your opinion? Is this a good investment of tax payers money? Why?
From the start of time science has propelled man kind to new levels all throughout history where would we be if no one invented the steam engine or even the internet has changed the face of the world. Science has been funded by governments for centuries and it needs funding now more than ever. Its obvious that the world gains very much from science but the problem for our government is the fact that we cannot predict which field of science is going to come with the next important break through. These intuitions have been fundamental for society and still do today. NASA for example employs over 19,000 people alone. NASA is responsible for many everyday luxuries and advances in science such as the ear thermometer, computer mouse, baby formula, artificial limbs, MRI and CAT scans, UV-blocking sunglasses, memory foam, firefighter gear and many more things people often might take for granted. We can’t even value how much we have gained from just this one Scientific organization so why it is important for tax money to be spent on it is a no brainer.
gama_matus • Mar 30, 2016 at 2:31 pm
I think its good that we are getting more involved in space research. I do think that the taxes that we pay are worth this investment.
Tstunna • Mar 10, 2016 at 2:50 pm
I think its great that the United States id trying to get back up in space. if i payed taxes i would definitely pay for or even donate if i had enough money to a new space project that could happen in the next couple years.