A Narrow View of NASA's Broader Vision

What’s next for NASA?, Mario Livio, Baltimore Sun
“In recent days, some of those criticizing NASA’s proposed budget have tried to paint a picture of an agency without a vision. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. NASA’s far-reaching ambitions in space science have been, and will continue to be, truly inspiring”
Keith’s note: While Livio does make a number of cogent points about space science, I find it a little odd that he can make statements about the agency’s overall “vision” while making zero mention of human spaceflight. If some members of Congress have their way, NASA will need to find more money somewhere – and that somewhere may well be space science. Perhaps then he’ll take the time to look at the other things that NASA does. I am rather certain that Livio was in the audience last night at the Air and Space Museum for the premiere of Hubble IMAX 3D – a movie that was equally balanced between human and robotic spaceflight. I guess he missed all of those space suited astronauts working on the gem of his institute’s research – one of whom works down the hall from him at STScI …