NASA: Budget Cut Interview

Interview About NASA

The discontinuation of funding toward NASA is going to have a negative effect on the United States economy. A 1992 article in the British science journal Nature reported: "The economic benefits of NASA's programs are greater than generally realized. The main beneficiaries (the American public) may not even realize the source of their good fortune.” When I interviewed my teacher, she had no idea that NASA was beneficial to the economy. She said, “It sounds like our government is being penny wise and dollar foolish.” In my opinion we should increase funding toward NASA which will improve our economy and increase development. A November 1971 study of NASA released by the Midwest Research Institute of Kansas City, Missouri , Technological Progress and Commercialization of Communications Satellites concluded that "the $25 billion in 1958 dollars spent on civilian space R & D during the 1958-1969 period has returned $52 billion through 1971. The discounted rate of return for this investment will have been 33 percent." She was truly surprised when I informed her of the economic benefits and return. She stated, “My Uncle John Cassini, was awarded the National Air and Space Museum Lifetime Achievement Award, so I feel that I should have been more knowledgeable on this subject.” Unfortunately the public is not aware of the benefits toward the economy which a portion of is science, engineering, and technology. According to an article, Public Opinion of the American Space Program, published in December of 2011, “The American public perceives the NASA budget as commanding a much larger share of the federal budget than it in fact does”..

                   What is a NASA spinoff? “A NASA spin off is technology that has been commercialized through NASA funding, research, licensing, facilities, or assistance.” NASA Spinoffs have saved over 12,000 lives and helped 86 million more. They have helped us in the comfort of our home to saving our lives with CAT-scanners, MRI Machines, and ultrasounds, used by many doctors today. The cost of Afghanistan and Iraq is about 20 million dollars per hours; it would only take 15 hours to equal the brutal cut on Mars exploration. Keep in mind NASA’s budget for mars exploration only frees up 0.01% of the federal budget. Our economy depends on science, engineering, and technology, NASA provides all of these. NASA is gradually sinking to the private sector which will lower the funding, research and development speeds will drop.

Works Cited

"December 24th: NASA Spinoffs: From Andy Warhol to Stem Cells." 365 Days of Astronomy RSS. N.p., 24 Dec. 2012. Web. 14 Jan. 2013.

"Top Ten NASA Spinoffs." Zidbits. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2013.

 "How Will the White House’s Brutal Budget Cuts Affect NASA?" Io9. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2013.

The Greatest Investment

            Money spent on the air and space program is an investment in the American economy. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program costs less than half of 1% of a tax dollar. Should we risk innovation, education, and curiosity, for this miniscule tax savings? NASA has helped us for more than 50 years. Yes it might be 17-18 billion dollars a year in budget, but that is only half of 1% of the annual budget. This is something that is needed. Most of what we spend on NASA gives back two to three times. We are not losing money from NASA we are investing in America. Think about the future. Do we want to regret not putting money toward NASA, do we want to regret not growing our Air and Space Program? Should we allow Russia and China to become number one? NASA spinoffs, ever since NASA was created there have been many spin offs. You might ask, What is a spinoff? A NASA spinoff is technology originally developed for NASA mission needs, these technologies were then transferred to the public for their benefits to help the Nation and the World. Many spinoffs have enhanced our daily life, including health, medicine, transportation, public safety to consumer goods, and energy environment, are among some of their inventions. Although NASA did not create all of these products, NASA was instrumental in researching and helping develop.

Sources:

1.       David, Leonard. "The Big Spin Off: American Industry Prepares to Raid NASA's..." Final Frontier. July/Aug. 1993: 32+. SIRS Issues Researcher.Web. 20 Dec 2012.

2.       Works Cited Galant, Richard. "Bill Nye: U.S. Risks Losing Its Space Edge." CNN. Cable News Network, 02 July 2012. Web. 20 Dec. 2012.