HW#7: NASA's Budget

I count myself among the strong supporters of exploration, but as I've said on previous occasions, we have to be willing to pay for it. - Bart Gordon, Rep, Tennessee, U.S. Congress

We are at a point in history where a proper attention to space, and especially near space, may be absolutely crucial in bringing the world together. - Margaret Mead

25 points - Due Thursday 4/1/10 in class at 10:30 AM

The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) is a very large agency within our country's government.  While most often associated with astronauts, Space Shuttle launches, and "pretty pictures from Space" taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA also is charged with many other tasks involving aeronautics, robotic and human exploration of space, and science.  But how much does NASA cost?  And what are the benefits we as a society reap from spending tax money on NASA?  Is learning about the Universe worth the cost?

Research and write a typed, spell-checked short essay of 250-500 words on whether NASA should continue to be funded at its current level, and whether expenditures on astronomical research and space exploration are really worth our tax dollars.   Please note you can if you want POST your assignment on ASTROPORTAL (and you are encouraged to do so!)  If you chose not to use that resource in the class, you should turn in your homework, typed, on paper, to me by the due date.  But before you decide upon your answer...

1) You must first research what NASA does.  Check out What Does NASA Do? (http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/what_does_nasa_do.html)  or look for other online or in-print resources that describe NASA's mission and what it does with our tax dollars.  Be sure to explore some of the links, including http://science.nasa.gov/ for more about the science NASA does.

2) You must look at how much NASA spends.  Check out the 2008 Proposed budget, or look for other resources that describe NASA's expenditures.  Can you find a similar source for the 2009 budget?  If so, cite it fully.

3) You must look at NASA's budget compared with other Federal Agencies.  This step is required, and if you don't include in your analysis some comparison with other agencies, you won't receive full credit.  Check out The Federal Budget 2004-2009 at Infoplease.com, and the more detailed 2008 budget charts taken from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which I excerpted.

And consider looking at the Congress' version of the budget, which often differs significantly from that of the executive branch. (cf. "The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2006 to 2015", January 2005, http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=6060&sequence=4, or for more on the impact of cutting pieces of NASA's and NSF's budget: "Budget Options: General Science, Space, and Technology", February 2005, http://www.cbo.gov/showdoc.cfm?index=6075&sequence=4). If you need help here, stop by Chabot's Library and ask for assistance at the reference desk. Research skills are of paramount importance today, so take this opportunity to learn a bit about answering topical questions.

Extra Credit Opportunities:

Recently (10/09) a panel made recommendations on the future of  NASA's manned mission plans.  Review these recommendations (at least reading the executive summary at the start.)  Comment upon what was recommended, and whether you agree with the priorities and costs that are projected.  Is human exploration of space worth the cost?

Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Committee.(2009, Oct.) Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation. NASA. Accessed 10/25/09 from http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf .