NASA budget increased by 6%!!!! 2.4 billion more

[Freshgeardude]

Link

NASA and NOAA will receive additional funds for research and development purposes

President Barack Obama followed through on a promise to give more money to NASA, offering a 6 percent increase -- up to $18.7 billion -- from President George W. Bush's monetary request in 2008.

"This budget ensures NASA maintains its global leadership in Earth and space research, and it advances global climate change studies, funds a robust program of human and robotic space exploration, allows us to realize the full potential of the International Space Station, advances development of new space transportation, and renews our commitment to aeronautics," according to NASA Administrator Christopher Scolese.

The $18.7 billion budget gives NASA an additional $2.4 billion, and Obama wants more research into climate change and space exploration. Similar to Bush, Obama also hopes to launch a manned mission to the moon, and have space probes explore Mars.

"NASA will develop new space-based research sensors in support of the administration's goal to deploy a global climate research and monitoring system," the new budget says.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will also get a $1.3 billion boost to create new weather satellites in the years to come.

NASA is scheduled to retire the current generation of space shuttles next year, and will be without a way to ferry astronauts and supplies into space until at least 2014 or 2015. Until the next-generation rocket system and shuttle is completed, NASA will be forced to rely on Russia to get back to the ISS.

The additional funds will hopefully help NASA launch a manned mission to the moon by 2020, as several other space stations aim to complete the same task.

There was a growing concern that the U.S. space agency would fall further behind other space nations because of monetary issues, while Russia and China continue to give more resources to their space programs. It's still possible the Obama administration could militarize NASA to give the program another much needed cash boost. It will likely all depend on how far along the Ares I development is, and whether or not the technology will be ready for launch in 2015.

I am very happy. This was one of the problems I had with obama. I am glad he listened and will give the money to nasa


moon- on planned schedule!

 

[Aberforth]

What's the point actually? They've been trying to find life on mars since 1960s....billions lost.

 

[PokerGuy]

Yeah, at a time when the economy is in shambles and we're looking at the greatest debt in history, we should throw a few more billion towards something like nasa :roll:

 

[PaperclipGod]

This is very good news, but I'd like to know how much of this money is being given to NASA to use at their discretion. It sounds like it's coming with strings attached, i.e. it'll be budgeted ONLY for a few specific programs that the politicians decide on, not the scientists.

Aberforth... money spent on science is "lost"??

 

[StageLeft]

You are ok with Obama because he threw a couple B at Nasa? That's awesome.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Aberforth... money spent on science is "lost"??

No, I am talking about qualitative use of science with responsibility. Just because you have the money and technology doesn't mean you have to send rockets and probes every time. Space Station costs $250bn.....honestly most experiments they do there can be simulated here on earth. And do you think nukes have anyway benefited mankind- it's also derived from science right? scientific research isn't bad but you must be clear of your goals, not hypothesize your research or gamble with people's money.

For the good of mankind.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Yeah, at a time when the economy is in shambles and we're looking at the greatest debt in history, we should throw a few more billion towards something like nasa :roll:

Right... because the point of life is to make enough money so you can breed successfully and make more of your kind, right?

The one thing that separates us from all the other random collections of amino acids that have evolved on this planet is our intellect, and our ability to see beyond our own instinctual, biological desires. Our curiosity is what has gotten us to this point in history. Our curiosity has led to civilization, and to our dominance over every other form of life on the planet. Our curiosity has allowed our species to flourish on this planet, and to such an extent that our massive population is actually becoming a detriment.

NASA is the embodiment of human evolution. It is the cradle for that intangible aspect of humanity that separates us from all other known animals. It's the place where the most generic, raw questions can still be asked (and even answered!) -- why are we here? How does the universe work?

If you actually think that NASA is a waste of money, and that its paltry 18 billion dollar budget is 18 billion too much, then I weep for the future of humanity. Acting in our own self-interest, saying "screw the unknown, I need a nicer house," puts us at about the same level as the mildly-intelligent tree-swingers of the monkey world.

Do you really think it's more important to turn the 800 billion dollar bailout into an 802 billion dollar bailout, than to try and answer some of the most profound and fundamental questions that have ever been asked?

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Aberforth... money spent on science is "lost"??

No, I am talking about qualitative use of science with responsibility. Just because you have the money and technology doesn't mean you have to send rockets and probes every time. Space Station costs $250bn.....honestly most experiments they do there can be simulated here on earth. And do you think nukes have anyway benefited mankind- it's also derived from science right? scientific research isn't bad but you must be clear of your goals, not hypothesize your research or gamble with people's money.

For the good of mankind.

Use of scientific discoveries is not the same as the actual knowledge gained from that discovery. Nuclear weapons were not Einstein's goal, they were a byproduct of the science he revealed. I mean, you've heard of the Nobel Prize, right? Nobel invented dynamite, but his legacy is better known for rewarding those who advance scientific knowledge, not just how to best kill people.

 

[bbdub333]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Yeah, at a time when the economy is in shambles and we're looking at the greatest debt in history, we should throw a few more billion towards something like nasa :roll:

Right... because the point of life is to make enough money so you can breed successfully and make more of your kind, right?

The one thing that separates us from all the other random collections of amino acids that have evolved on this planet is our intellect, and our ability to see beyond our own instinctual, biological desires. Our curiosity is what has gotten us to this point in history. Our curiosity has led to civilization, and to our dominance over every other form of life on the planet. Our curiosity has allowed our species to flourish on this planet, and to such an extent that our massive population is actually becoming a detriment.

NASA is the embodiment of human evolution. It is the cradle for that intangible aspect of humanity that separates us from all other known animals. It's the place where the most generic, raw questions can still be asked (and even answered!) -- why are we here? How does the universe work?

If you actually think that NASA is a waste of money, and that its paltry 18 billion dollar budget is 18 billion too much, then I weep for the future of humanity. Acting in our own self-interest, saying "screw the unknown, I need a nicer house," puts us at about the same level as the mildly-intelligent tree-swingers of the monkey world.

Do you really think it's more important to turn the 800 billion dollar bailout into an 802 billion dollar bailout, than to try and answer some of the most profound and fundamental questions that have ever been asked?

Or maybe we should try to save our economy from collapse so we'll have the opportunity to explore in the future. Maybe we should focus on immediate survival instead of how we'll live on the moon in 50 years. Maybe we should put the fire out in our house before we start looking for beach houses for summering.

How's that sound kiddo?

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Aberforth... money spent on science is "lost"??

No, I am talking about qualitative use of science with responsibility. Just because you have the money and technology doesn't mean you have to send rockets and probes every time. Space Station costs $250bn.....honestly most experiments they do there can be simulated here on earth. And do you think nukes have anyway benefited mankind- it's also derived from science right? scientific research isn't bad but you must be clear of your goals, not hypothesize your research or gamble with people's money.

For the good of mankind.

Nuclear weapons were not Einstein's goal, they were a byproduct of the science he revealed.

That's why I stress on responsibility. I do research on cryptography, believe me I will be the last person to protest NASA funding but I don't like some of the BS they do there. They are always driven by curiosity which has cost lives on many occasions. Just know this one very important thing, space is not our property and what you do there affects whole of mankind.

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Aberforth... money spent on science is "lost"??

No, I am talking about qualitative use of science with responsibility. Just because you have the money and technology doesn't mean you have to send rockets and probes every time. Space Station costs $250bn.....honestly most experiments they do there can be simulated here on earth. And do you think nukes have anyway benefited mankind- it's also derived from science right? scientific research isn't bad but you must be clear of your goals, not hypothesize your research or gamble with people's money.

For the good of mankind.

Use of scientific discoveries is not the same as the actual knowledge gained from that discovery. Nuclear weapons were not Einstein's goal, they were a byproduct of the science he revealed. I mean, you've heard of the Nobel Prize, right? Nobel invented dynamite, but his legacy is better known for rewarding those who advance scientific knowledge, not just how to best kill people.

I thought Einstein originally supported the development of the bomb because he was afraid Germany was close to completing one. I don't think he ever supported using it, though, the technology was supposed to be a deterrent.

As far as NASA, more money for science is always good IMO, although I wouldn't be opposed to temporary cuts considering the state of our economy and recent government spending.

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: Aberforth
What's the point actually? They've been trying to find life on mars since 1960s....billions lost.

The probes sent there was not only to find life. It also studies the geology and atmosphere to see if it can sustain life if we were to colonize it in the future. Hardly wasted. :roll:
Iraq war on the other hand...

 

[Modelworks]

The thing people forget is that NASA provides hope and inspiration. Whenever there is news about the mars probes people listen, school children draw pictures of it with crayons. It gives them something to dream about, to feel like we are accomplishing something. We don't have a lot to feel good about often, especially right now. NASA is the one thing that when they get something right, it makes billions of people feel like maybe we can do great things. You can't quantify that with $$$$.

 

[rudder]

I am all for an increase in spending at NASA.... but damn the whole organization needs to be rebuilt. They cannot even get a freaking rocket into space half the time.

 

[Fear No Evil]

A budget of like 800 trillion dollars and Nasa gets 2.6 billion more? I am pretty sure ACORN is getting more than that.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
A budget of like 800 trillion dollars and Nasa gets 2.6 billion more? I am pretty sure ACORN is getting more than that.

Yeah sure, just punch in any amount you want and it will materialize.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
A budget of like 800 trillion dollars and Nasa gets 2.6 billion more? I am pretty sure ACORN is getting more than that.

Yeah sure, just punch in any amount you want and it will materialize.

Isnt that what this administration is currently doing?

 

[Paratus]

Hey, a bunch of peole have a point. Why pay for space stuff when we have problems down here. That money could go to important stuff like bailing out bank CEO's.

It's not like if we pull NASA's funding a bunch of scientists and engineers who actually make things would be put out of work.

Even if they did, the problem in this country is to many scientists and engineers and not enough service people.

So I say Bravo to those who want to pull NASA's funding. :~

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
A budget of like 800 trillion dollars and Nasa gets 2.6 billion more? I am pretty sure ACORN is getting more than that.

Yeah sure, just punch in any amount you want and it will materialize.

Isnt that what this administration is currently doing?

No, they are not printing it. They have plenty of $$$ in the federal reserves.

 

[Ricochet]

Originally posted by: Paratus
Hey, a bunch of peole have a point. Why pay for space stuff when we have problems down here. That money could go to important stuff like bailing out bank CEO's.

It's not like if we pull NASA's funding a bunch of scientists and engineers who actually make things would be put out of work.

Even if they did, the problem in this country is to many scientists and engineers and not enough service people.

So I say Bravo to those who want to pull NASA's funding. :~

Let's not forget about the poor who has no inclination of working and draws on welfare checks to sustain his/her living and also the single mothers who are popping out babies like pop tarts. That's 6 billion less for them.

Why should we even have funding at all for our future endeavor?

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: Aberforth

Originally posted by: Fear No Evil
A budget of like 800 trillion dollars and Nasa gets 2.6 billion more? I am pretty sure ACORN is getting more than that.

Yeah sure, just punch in any amount you want and it will materialize.

Isnt that what this administration is currently doing?

No, they are not printing it. They have plenty of $$$ in the federal reserves.

wow you are far beyond retarded.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: ricochet

Originally posted by: Paratus
Hey, a bunch of peole have a point. Why pay for space stuff when we have problems down here. That money could go to important stuff like bailing out bank CEO's.

It's not like if we pull NASA's funding a bunch of scientists and engineers who actually make things would be put out of work.

Even if they did, the problem in this country is to many scientists and engineers and not enough service people.

So I say Bravo to those who want to pull NASA's funding. :~

Let's not forget about the poor who has no inclination of working and draws on welfare checks to sustain his/her living and also the single mothers who are popping out babies like pop tarts. That's 6 billion less for them.

Why should we even have funding at all for our future endeavor?

It's not $6 billion less for them, it's $6 billion in ADDITION to them.

 

[JACKDRUID]

good news. infrastructure spending on NASA has been shrinking ever since end of cold war. this is good to get us up to date.

 

[Ricochet]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: ricochet

Originally posted by: Paratus
Hey, a bunch of peole have a point. Why pay for space stuff when we have problems down here. That money could go to important stuff like bailing out bank CEO's.

It's not like if we pull NASA's funding a bunch of scientists and engineers who actually make things would be put out of work.

Even if they did, the problem in this country is to many scientists and engineers and not enough service people.

So I say Bravo to those who want to pull NASA's funding. :~

Let's not forget about the poor who has no inclination of working and draws on welfare checks to sustain his/her living and also the single mothers who are popping out babies like pop tarts. That's 6 billion less for them.

Why should we even have funding at all for our future endeavor?

It's not $6 billion less for them, it's $6 billion in ADDITION to them.

My bad. I forget that there is no cap on deficit spending. We're SO relying on the prudence of our future generation to bail us out while at the same time we're chipping away their foundation.

 

[OCGuy]

Yay, more spending money we dont have! Woohoo!