The Future of Spaceflight

It's been a long journey. The combined mileage on all of NASA's shuttles in 513.7 million miles. Each shuttle has spent the past 30 years freighting satellites, people, and even fourth grade science experiments into space. But it hasn't been easy. The space shuttle is arguably the most complex machine humanity has ever created. Period dot. The computer systems alone help launch the United States into the digital age, while the communications satellites that were the shuttle's payloads establish the global communications net that we Americans take for granted every day. And that's just scratching the surface.

And yet the American government in Washington, DC continues to cut funding to our nation's space programs. Many a person has heard lawmakers say “I think we should solve our problems here on Earth before we go into space.” But let's really look into that statement with some figures, shall we?

According to TheSpaceReview.com "For every $1 the federal government spends on NASA, it spends $98 on social programs" and that was in 2007, before we cut the space program and increased social welfare spending with the controversial "Obama-care" and government bailouts. Now, I don't have a stated problem with these programs, as one helps those in need and the other is a practice in Keynesian economics, but I do have a problem with some other government facts. 

If you'll glance at this pie chart for fiscal year 2010, you'll notice that the Department of Defense takes up 18.74 % of our budget. Social welfare programs, including unemployment, public housing,Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security take up a combined 58.14% of our nation's budget. Yet, education is only allotted 1.32% of our budget, and care for wounded soldiers is allotted only .74% . And NASA, who has been accused ob "budget stealing" for the past decade only takes up .58% of our budget. 

Something is wrong here. Something is wrong in a country that allots more money to pay people who are capable of work to not work than towards its children's educations. You may argue that the state is supposed to pay the lion's share of those dollars, but federal educational grants are important parts of state budgets nationwide and help many states fund special education programs they otherwise wouldn't be able to try because of the make-up of their tax base. 

In closing, we'll miss you space shuttles. You were a shining star of Americanism that hovered over our heads. You represent the closing chapters of the mighty governmental space programs. But you are also a herald. A herald that showed us about government waste through the power of publicity. You showed us the most advanced programs we have are only .58% of our budget. You pointed out the flaws in spending so much money on programs that are easily abused, like social welfare. We thank you for your service. 

Go in peace to love and to serve. 

Sam