Space Science Cut Update
Space agency’s 2020 vision shortsighted, say campus astronomers, UC Berkeley News
“No shuttles have been launched since the Columbia disintegrated while returning to Earth in February 2003, killing all seven astronauts aboard.”
Editor’s note: Barry Bergman (the author) at UC Berkeley Public Affairs is not exactly up to date on everything…
“[Geoffrey Marcy] adds that the cuts will have “a devastating impact” on astronomy research, and particularly on what he calls the “two remarkable quests” to have emerged in the past decade: “the cause of the accelerating expansion of the universe, and the existence of habitable worlds.” NASA, he believes, “has backed away from the two most philosophically compelling questions to face modern physical science: ‘What is the history and destiny of the universe?’ and ‘Are we alone?'”
President Bush Announces New Vision for Space Exploration Program, White House
“Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit. So let us continue the journey.”