Space program - continue? Or end it now! Your thoughts.

[chernabog]

After watching so many news programs and listening to several talk radio shows, there seems to be a debate brewing about, whether or not, NASA should continue it's space program or discontinue it. Personally, I believe that it should continue. The experiments that these pioneers have conducted are responsible for so many items, products and scientific uses, that it would be a huge mistake to end. Astronaut experiments are responsible for such things as: digital thermometers, MRI tecnology, breast cancer research, sunglasses, satellite tv, HBO, Cinemax, the colorization of black and white tv, and motor vehicle dashboards, just to name a few. And aside from the technological standpoint, I think it would be a huge injustice to the legacy of ALL the astronauts who have perished while trying to make our lives easier and science work better. That's just my opinion.

 

[gina2000]

Continue it. Knowledge is power.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I agree, continue! Yesterday late at night, they interviewed one of the astronauts parents. Forgive me I don't remember his first name, last name was Brown. But Larry King asked him how are they dealing with the fact that parents aren't supposed to outlive their kids. THe dad said something so touching that made me cry. He said that they talk to people. To try and get the word out that it is important to continue with space exploration. Such courage they showed during such a sad time for them.


continue, continue, continue!

 

[Towncrier]

I suppose a greater question is whether or not we should continue "manned" space exploration (for lack of a gender neutral term) or whether we should concentrate on robotic missions like the ones that have been sent to Mars. While I agree that the task of launching satellites should best be left to unmanned launch vehicles, my own personal feeling is that most if not all experimental tasks benefit from the human touch and interaction. I think that NASA should continue, but perhaps they should continue to look for missions that make the best use of human participants and leave the mundane missions to the unmanned rockets.

 

[grinningghost]

Absolutely continue it.

 

[caitycaity]

it's funny how it seems so many people are in favor of continuing it, yet the government has been continually making funding cuts.

 

[Jenzebelle]

I say continue it.

 

[Towncrier]

I heard a report that the NASA's budget got a half billion dollar increase. And that was before the tragic events of Saturday.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Continue. There's too much important stuff going on during those missions.

 

[caitycaity]

towncrier, do you have a link? i have heard that bush is proposing a half billion dollar increase, but it hasn't happened yet and it was proposed after saturday. historically, the nasa budget has been slashed by democrats and republicans alike.

 

[Bob O]

It should be contiued and expanded upon!!!! It is one of the few government programs that expands our horizons.
To me its sad that we havent had more manned missions either to the moon or Mars. We have let the agency get stagnant and let it wither. The shuttle program is based on technolgy that is from the 60's and its sad that it hasnt been updated since then.
Lets hope the country gets back into the midset of th 60's where we wanted to explore uncharted frontiers.

 

[binny]

continue it!!!

My ds wants to be an astronaut, yes he's only 7, but this is his dream!! We toured Kennedy last year and thats all hes talked baout since. He plans on being on the first manned missoin to Mars in 2025.

i asked him how he felt about the explosion and he said " mom it makes me really sad" I asked if it made him not want to be an astronaut anymore and he ( in his wisdom ) said " Mom accidents can happen no matter where you are or what you do, I want to be an Astronaut"

 

[Towncrier]

Perhaps I misunderstood what I heard. Wishful thinking on my part I guess. So much good has come out of the space program that it is downright criminal not to fund their research.

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by binny
I asked if it made him not want to be an astronaut anymore and he ( in his wisdom ) said " Mom accidents can happen no matter where you are or what you do, I want to be an Astronaut"

This brought a smile to my face, Binny. Such a great boy you have there. I wish him luck!

 

[Serena]

Continue it.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I didn't want to open this thread...but I did anyway. I'm glad I did because Binny, that made me smile. I hope he realizes his dream.

 

[kylara]

I also think it should continue. Is it dangerous, yes, but so are many other jobs. Even flying commercial jets can be dangerous but I don't hear people crying out to stop airlines from flying when a plane crashes.

What happened is a tragedy, but I HATE seeing people use it to try and discontinue the space program. I have seen the loved ones of the seven astronauts talk about the need to continue, one father even went so far to say it was the ONLY reason he was talking out during this time of grief.

Do not use the death of people who believed in the need for space exploration and the experiments being done as a cry to do away with it...to me, that dishonors all the astronauts that have died in the line of duty. To me it would be the same as saying, "we have lost fireman to fires so there will be no more firefighting"

I talked to one of my students today..she had worked in my office as a student assistant, but had to quit since she was offered an internship at NASA this semester. It is a special program and an honor to be admited ('specially for a community college student). She has already been informed that the internships will go on...that at this point NASA is committed to education and the program. Her program director even said it would be a "slap in the face" to the Columbia crew if they used the tragedy to discontinue the internship program or any other educational programs they have. And I have to agree wholeheartedly.