Obama Talks Space on Reddit
Are you considering increasing funds to the space program?, Reddit
President Obama: “Making sure we stay at the forefront of space exploration is a big priority for my administration. The passing of Neil Armstrong this week is a reminder of the inspiration and wonder that our space program has provided in the past; the curiosity probe on mars is a reminder of what remains to be discovered. The key is to make sure that we invest in cutting edge research that can take us to the next level – so even as we continue work with the international space station, we are focused on a potential mission to a asteroid as a prelude to a manned Mars flight.”
Of course, Presidents don’t write the federal budget, they just make requests to Congress. And this isn’t exactly a political environment in which Obama has a great deal of leverage, even if he did have an inspiring vision for NASA. But since he doesn’t, and Romney doesn’t, I don’t see increased space funding in our forseeable future..
Yes, Presidents don’t approved budgets, but they make budget recommendations, have a bid megaphone to promote, and have the power to veto congressional bills.
True, but then again, volumes more than Romney has said.
Using how NASA is funded to support your argument against Obama doesnt make all that much sense considering that ultimate approval of NASA’s budget goes through congress. On top of the fact that congress hand picks which programs get funded and by how much. At least we have some idea what Obama wants to do (asteroid mission in 2020’s, Mars in 2030’s), where on the other hand Romney has only mentioned what he “believes” is the future for NASA in vague sound bites. Ussually these sound bites mention national security more often than not.
Don’t forget, Romney-Ryan have only publicly said that NASA is useful as a “National Security” service. So presumably they’re only interested in funding parts of NASA which support Military use.
Not really a great sign for any of our science or research missions…
Vacuous pablum.
I thought it was from Romney at first.
What’s interesting to me is how that question was the highest-rated among all of the ones in that Ask-Me-Anything session. Hopefully that fact wasn’t lost on the president and his staff.
would just like to point out Obama tried to increase NASA’s budget in 2010–in the midst of an economic crisis and Republican wailing against government spending–by $6 billion over 5 years. Needless to say it fell on Congressional deaf ears…http://http://www.whitehouse.gov/administ...
That’s what I was thinking too. He tried and hit an immediate roadblock from Congress. So, he probably marked it “message received” for the time being.
Steve
So Cessna – “he gave up and walked away” – it almost sounds like you’re sad that he did… but, oh, right – it was you who was throwing the roadblocks….
So now you’re complaining that he didn’t try hard enough to bypass your opposition, yes?
It should also be remembered that he was fighting against a House whose leadership stated publicly after Obama’s election that they would do all they could to oppose every Obama initiative.
One of the things that I am forever fed up with are politicians who insult our intelligence with vaque puffy statements – on the assumption that we are too stupid to realize that in all their talking that they purposely did not answer the question.
Anyway, the last four years were a clear statement that the Obama administration really doesn’t care a whole lot one way or another about the space program. To them the space program only matters to the degree that the American people care about it AND there is also the jobs issue and how the funding levels (or cuts) of various programs affects local communities of potential voters. Beyond that it is just noise on their radar.
With Romney, who knows. He may talk in vague terms about rebuilding America and that may involve ramping up NASA’s funding. But right now it is all talk – only his actions – if he gets elected – will tell the real story.
So tell us, Cessna –
There was a plan put forward by the prez, based on commercial launch, with a goal of a manned mission to Mars. The plan was detailed, including first steps such as technology-development missions to Mars, and a stepping stone mission to NEO.
You and your pals killed it.
How hypocritical can you get?
Well, let’s look at who opposed his plan. Was it the regular “we don’t need to spend dollars on space exploration since we haven’t solved our internal problems” PC crowd?
No, this time it was major elements of the Space industry, that were more worried about their pockets than about space exploration.
Thus, the mars missions were canceled, and SLS was shoved in instead.
Since Congress is the budget authority, and since the space community couldn’t agree what it wanted, and since was framed by the healthcare debate and congressional aftermath – there was nothing he could do.
He made sure commercial space got funded as best he could (remember the stand-off with congress over SLS?), that the program of record is now Mars-based, and the rest is a battle that will have to be fought another day.
Hopefully, to be fought against the PC crowd, and not against you.
C_D,
I watched about three-quarters of the Republican National Convention last night (as painful as that was) and I did not hear a single person make any reference to space. Everybody (after telling their family histories) talked about “fiscal” plans. Their major, and perhaps only, priority is money. This, in my mind, doesn’t bode well for issues like space. Many of the speakers insisted that “Romney has a plan,” but they didn’t offer any details of any plan, and neither has Romney himself to date (a plan for what?). So, basically, they’re going to the old standby — asking people to vote for a vague promise. Given this situation, I’d say all that Obama has to do to retain his position is say nothing more on many issues, because his position is already known. No matter who ends up as the next President, there’s not going to be any additional money for NASA this time around, since Obama knows Congress won’t let him and Romney doesn’t want to. Our dependence on commercial space activities is growing.
Steve
Maybe this is why it has to be Mr. Musk who leads and points the way to mars or off this rock. And then our country may follow. I seem to recall Newt saying this and being laugh off the planet. Not a good subject for a President to waste politicial capital on given how NASA has come to mean just more waste to the Tax payer.
JOE Q public/Tax Payer
If you are against Obama care. NASAs wise use of money sure helps make the case against any kind of governemt controled service.
SLS how much???
Orion how much??
Whats the price of that telescope again???
Till these pigs are killed NASA should get less.
Didn’t Obama kill the constilation pig only to have congress bring it back??
5 core falcon heavy would cost how much???
Rommey will kill NASA HSF
All up to ELON I think!
His Mars plan should be out next year and he will start on it regardless, if not already.
Who should I vote for for a Space future??
Does it matter???
The pinnacle of hypocrisy, right there:
Do everything you can to destroy from within, then bemoan the lost destiny of the collective good.
Gee you must be an Obamaton too.
Remember – nothing Obama does can ever be good. Even if its good for America. Even if its because he beat them to it first.
I’m for the “four function calculator party”. The one where I can add / subtract to find out myself whats best for America, out in the open.
I cannot abide mindless drones that surrender their intellect / reasoning to any kind of “dear leader”. Or mob.
They are all worthless, and I will them to the devil.
Because if they can’t compete successfully with policy for America, they aren’t worthy of consideration.
I’ll listen to them when they choose to be competitive with policy.
We are now at a time, when ordinary citizens can investigate, fathom, and, decide for themselves. Instead of being driven by any kind of blunt force.
We don’t have a balanced political landscape at the moment, is what this exchange tells me.
But they are racing along building multi use hardware and they seem to have or soon will have dare I say it!
A PLAN!!!!
A mission plan maybe??
A goal
SLS and Orion rebuilding unffordable old fashion rocket is critical to ZERO
NASAs path should be using cheaper commercial to do its BEO dreams
FASTER CHEAPER
New Commercial is much closer to the trailblazing path than the old Cost plus porkiers
While I support your enthusiasm there is one thing to think about. SpaceX is not taking the “faster, cheaper” route – they chose “Better, cheaper” and are taking a relatively long time to implement.
As an exercise, I think some folks here need to re-read Zubrin’s The Case for Mars. It’s not just about going to Mars, but also a description of a philosophy of spaceflight and exploration that is both more affordable than the SEI or the VSE, but results in more than flags and footprints. Instead, stays would be measured in months, not days or weeks, and the approach also offers the possibility of eventual permanent settlement.
It’s a very intelligent approach to the issues of cost and of establishing a foothold on Mars (or the moon).
Anyone remember how The 90-Day Report, a combined creation of NASA and aerospace contractors, effectively killed the SEI with its massive pricetag? It’s instructive to look at that as an example of 1) what old space firms would do if they could get the money and, 2) how little they would accomplish in exchange for it.
Fortunately, there is at least the chance that something very like Zubrin’s path to Mars might be undertaken using SpaceX technology. Certainly the Falcon Heavy would be adequate for almost all needs and vastly less expensive than the SLS.
I’m very glad that Zubrin and Musk are aware of each other and in contact.
Well, even though I’m a Mars-type and a liberal, I supported VSE under Bush since it was better than the ISS/STS Status Quo. And we (my pals and I) never sabotaged VSE. VSE became Constellation, which pretty much killed itself.
Dude – the facts are simple. Congress controls the budget. Obama didn’t have a super-majority. He pushed for an expanded program. Congress killed it. You helped Congress.
You talk of “excuses” is empty when you yourself are the cause.
The inhabitants of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) sealed their fate when they cut down the last tree on the island and hence could never again build a boat. We may face a similar problem as population increases and resources diminish such that there may be less funding available for “luxuries” like space exploration ever again. While not continuing in space would clearly be shortsighted, there is little evidence that those making fiscal policy are engaged in anything resembling long-term thinking.
There is an excellent argument to be made for increased funding of targeted basic research of all kinds so as to seed the next generation of tech development, but thusfar all we are seeing is borrowed money being gifted to cronies to develop rather than to discover, and that with little regard for yield.
We now have competition in space, and when China masters complex missions they will certainly not only land on the moon but also establish a “scientific base” that will have strong military components; will we be comfortable with that, especially considering that they have successfully destroyed orbiting satellites in the past?
And what do we make of a president whose early act upon taking office was to replace the head of NASA with someone rushing to make his first speech about Muslim outreach?
Times are hard for NASA centers, but they are also prohibited from seeking work outside of their mission statement- that was not the case during other eras involving funding declines. Now, teams will be broken up from necessity, never to reassemble.
Change starts from the bottom- bug your representatives to demand increased research funding- before we cut down the last tree.