Reactions To Obama's NASA

Obama's new plan for NASA would shift the NASA's focus from returning to the moon to developing improved launching technologies. His plan, as mentioned in a previous post, would outsource the launching of astronauts to private enterprise. Many politicians located near NASA projects are critical of the Obama's proposal. Florida Democrat Representative Suzanne M. Kosmas complained that the plan had a "lack of direction." This past Wednesday, there was a hearing regarding the new NASA budget comprised of organizations that watch over NASA. This panel came to the conclusion that outsourcing would be less cost effective and more time consuming. On the other hand, NASA officials claim that this plan will, in fact, expedite the process of sending more people into space by cutting costs and investigating new technologies. It is important to note that NASA will still be monitoring all of the programs and is creating guidelines for the products of these programs to insure safety for future astronauts.In the wake of this large proposed policy change, I am finding it hard to sort fact from fiction. Oponents and proponents are arguing the same points with oposite positions. Those in favor of the change say it will be quick and cheep, those against say it will be slow and expensive. From what I can tell, it is a gamble. Private enterprises are just as likely to make breakthroughs in space exploration as NASA if given the proper tools, but the difference is that the status of their projects influence the economy as well as the progress of our astronomical knowledge. With the rewards unknown, it is hard for me to see past the risks. Still, the chance that this change may bring new progress is an exciting possibility.


Chang, Kenneth. "House Panel Sees Pros And Cons In NASA Plan.(National Desk)." The New York Times. (Feb 4, 2010): A16(L). Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Deerfield High School. 8 Feb. 2010 < http://find.galegroup.com >