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A recent poll determined that the American public is evenly divided on whether or not we as a nation should return to the moon and press on to other planets. From my perspective, this means only half of us understand the benefits we use every day that are brought to us from the space program.
Do you drive a car? Today's cars have more computing power just to keep the engine running efficiently than the Apollo Command Module's navigation computer did! This is a result of the need to shrink down computers so they could fly aboard spacecraft. We all have cleaner running cars as a direct result of the space program.
Do you watch TV? Every channel you watch has satellite transmissions somewhere in the chain before you view it.
Have you been to a doctor in the last 30 years? Huge advances in medicine are the result, directly or indirectly, of the space program of the 1960s. You might be alive today because of the space program!
These are just three examples of the hundreds of ways the average American is enriched daily because of the investment in the future made 40 years ago. Money spent on a renewed space program and returning the United States to the moon is an extremely good investment for our nation.
There are also national security reasons to return to the moon and set up a permanent residence there. It is clear to the American people that we face new threats in the coming decades. Lunar bases and the technologies to provide for them will allow for enhancements in keeping our nation safe as other nations become space-faring in the next few decades.
What about the cost? It's a pittance! NASA gets less than 1 percent of our national budget. The president proposes shifting money from the shuttle program to the new Crew Excursion Vehicle and adding only a small amount to NASA's budget so scientists can get under way now. The shuttle must be re-certified for flight in 2010, and right now re-certification doesn't look promising as the fleet will be 30+ years old. We will NOT have a replacement ready in time, even if we had started this work three years ago. This means that after 2010, the United States will lose the ability to launch manned space missions, and this will be just when other nations will be launching their own missions in earnest. We must start working on NASA's next goal now to reduce the gap in our nation's ability to launch manned missions in the not too distant future.
I could continue with scores more examples of why the American public should be completely behind the lunar initiative, such as jobs, economic growth and strength for our state and our nation. Money spent on the space program is spent on Earth, not in space.
For those who support the proposal, please contact our state's senators and your local representative so they can prove a wide popular support for our return to the moon.
While on our PR rush to fund human exploration of the solar system, we are still at the stage where asking the right questions may be more important than media scripted quick "answers." Here are a few questions:
1. Is exploration of space critical for the survival of the human species?
2. Has our federal support for pure science lagged behind our fascination with technology, which is really derivative of real science? In funding technology, are we really advancing science?
3. At this stage of exploration, what can we learn from manned missions that we cannot learn from robots?
4. What is the cost/benefit analysis of robot vs. manned missions?
5. What is the cost/benefit analysis of investing in space exploration over the next two decades vs. investments in the social/political/economic infrastructure of other regions of the earth vital to our security?
6. If the future of Homo sapiens depends upon our knowledge of the solar system, then why do we not lead a true international scientific expedition?
7. Should not space exploration require a new paradigm of political organization beyond that of the earthbound notion of national sovereignty?
Re: Bush's vow: Humans "are headed into the cosmos," Jan. 15.
So now he wants to invade Mars. I am alarmed, appalled and just plain fed up with George Bush's inability to focus on challenges facing us right now right here at home. He was, some continue to maintain, elected to the lead the United States, but its common citizenry appear to be a low priority.
Instead of humans headed into cosmos, how about humans headed into jobs and then back to affordable homes? Or off to doctor and dental appointments, which they would be able to pay for? Why don't we head out into an environment that is clean and safe or send our children into quality schools where educators are adequately paid?
I've known for a long that George Bush is out of touch with those of us who are not white male millionaires. Apparently, he is also out of touch with the planet Earth.
To all you future-nauts: Since your departure is being made possible by those you're leaving behind, don't lay waste to this planet as an excuse for your leaving.
Outer space is better off without us. I have visions of an alien walking around Mars picking up cigarette butts and empty Tang containers. Our history of warmongering and trashing should teach us that we need to stay here lest we spread our vile habits throughout the universe. But when has anyone in this country ever learned from history?
Can anyone truly say that the rest of the universe would benefit from our presence? I think not! We've already cluttered up the area around the Earth with our space junk - and no one cares. One of the wisest signs that I've ever seen was on a beach and read, "Don't leave anything that you brought!" We're trashing and polluting the Earth, ruining the atmosphere, killing ourselves with exhaust fumes, and Bush feels that we have the right to spread this throughout the universe? Well, we don't have the right! We haven't earned the right! We have created enough problems that need to be solved right here!
Re: Bush's vow: Humans "are headed into the cosmos."
Personally, I believe we have more important matters for the president to look at besides heading for the moon. Is the purpose of this to make us forget what the issues are here? Let's take the money and take care for our own. Let's give it to the schools where the teachers are underpaid and the students need help reading. Let's help out the seniors with a drug plan that will work for them. Let's put it into the environment and help preserve what God gave us here on Earth. The billions that NASA has wasted over the years has been staggering. Historically, these visions of space travel have gone nowhere and have cost precious lives.
Let's clean up Earth! What a concept! I am sorry but this is nothing more than election year grandstanding. We have much to do here. Let us make Earth the priority. In fact, let's make the United States the priority!
Leave it to President Bush to come up with an achievement we have already accomplished. Most of what I have read on the issue of manned moon exploration and outposts, a subject well documented, is that many leading scientists do not believe it to be practical or necessary at this point in time. They believe that the development of robotic exploration would be the best method, and would fulfill the data needs at this time. But, of course, Washington has a much different view.
To me it looks to be another "gravy train" for special interest insiders, who will replace the once true redundant science of NASA with corporate profit margins. And let's remember folks, redundancy is a "good thing" when it comes to space travel. In the end, we the people shall be holding the bag on all the fiscal and physical risks involved as the politicians and corporations stroll into the sunset. So I say: "Yes, Mr. Bush, go to the moon - and take your friends with you."
Re: President's new space vision: Put humans on Mars, moon, Jan. 9.
What is going on with President Bush and his administration? To name just a few things:
They want to start building a missile defense system - to protect the United States from missile attacks from whom?
He has cut taxes, increased spending, and is creating a huge deficit, which taxpayers - we - are responsible for, and he says this is good for the U.S. economy. Really? For how long?
He has created a Medicare prescription drug plan that does not address the problem of why a prescription drug plan was needed in the first place: Prescription drugs will stay exorbitantly high-priced except that now the government (we the taxpayers) will cover some the cost for people who are on Medicare. What about those of us not on Medicare?
Next we have President Bush recommending a new immigration policy. This will allow low-educated immigrants into the country to do those low-wage jobs that U.S. workers do not want to do. How is importing workers for low-paying jobs and the exporting of good jobs by U.S. corporations supposed to help the U.S. economy and reduce the unemployment rate?
Now Bush is proposing a new, out-of-this-world program: Let's go to the moon and build a base there and then let's go to Mars. Sounds good, except he did not say anything about the international space station that is orbiting Earth: It has an air leak.
I hope the presidential elections get here soon. I don't think we citizens, taxpayers and the country can take much more of these good ideas coming out of Washington.
Re: A blindside hit, Jan. 12.
What an interesting look at these football players. How lucky for those who prepared for the future while earning big dollars. It is very apparent in today's world that many pros come and go quickly, and I'm sure they regret that preparations were not made earlier. This would be an excellent time for those players to address students and reinforce the need to complete their educations to have that advantage if that dream of being a "star" or "pro" doesn't turn out. That degree would sure be worth the time for those long years ahead. Thanks for a look at the "other side."
The best line in the article is: "Football is fun, but that degree sticks with you."
Schools put so much emphasis on sports, and parents should put more on the value of education.
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