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Introduction

Sabera 1 What issues should be considered most important is making decisions about space exploration? As Neil Armstrong a NASA astronaut stepped on the moon surface he uttered the famous line "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It was Sunday, July 20th 1969 when mankind wrote a new chapter in history and America shed tears of joy. Recent debates about Obama's cancellation of the Constellation program (back to moon program) have generated sighs of both relief disconsolation. Question like the overall worth of space exploration is raised. The question of financing comes first and foremost. In this plunging condition of the economy what factors backs up for or against funding space exploration? President Obama's proposal would mostly affect the space shuttle for Constellation ( NASA's back to the moon program).By the cancellation of that plan a $100 billion dollars is saved that would have gone out from the taxpayers pocket (Iffil). From a economic standpoint this carries a lot of weight. Tax cut eventually gets recycled back to the economy in general, a demonstration of the multiplier effect. On the other hand side the idea of spending $6 billion over the next five years to help develop new commercial spacecraft capable of carrying humans is not appealing to many. ...read more.

Middle

Take for instance the Lockheed Martins shuttle in 1996, the failed design cost the government $912 million and Martin #357 million.( Dinerman W3). Overall point is since there is no guarantee that private efforts into space will succeed it is irrational depend on them Also commercialization of space will focus on knowledge as much as it would on profit. Which directly contradicts the 5th outer space treaty under article 1 of space law. " (The controversial Agreement GOVERNING THE ACTIVITIES OF STATES ON THE MOON AND OTHER CELESTIAL BODIES (THE MOON TREATY) DESIGNATES SPACE AS THE "COMMON HERITAGE OF MANKIND," NOT MERELY THE "PROVINCE OF MANKIND" WHEN COMMERCIALIZING SPACE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MAKE SURE THAT PRIVATE COMPANIES REMEMBER THIS WELL. LETS TRACK THIS BACK HISTORICALLY. THE ROLE PLAY OF SPUTNIK( FIRST EARTH ORBITING SATELLITE BY RUSSIA)IN THE BIRTH OF NASA IS WELL KNOWN TO ALL. AS PRESIDENT KENNEDY FIRST ARTICULATED HIS GOAL IN 1961- THAT THIS NATION SHALL COMMIT ITSELF TO ACHIEVE A GOAL OF LANDING A MAN ON MOON, NASA WAS IN FULL SWING.(KENNEDY). HIS DREAM WAS FULFILLED EIGHT YEARS LATER WHEN APOLLO 11 FIRST LANDED THE FIRST HUMAN ON MOON. THEN THE EXPECTATION FROM NASA ROSE EVEN HIGHER FOR PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN. ...read more.

Conclusion

WITH THE FINITE AMOUNT OF TAX PAYERS MONEY GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SET UP THE PRIORITY. SABERA 5 EVERY SINGLE PENNY SPENT FOR THE SPACE IS ACTUALLY SPENT FOR THE EARTH. THINK ABOUT THE NASA CREATES THE TECHNOLOGY IT INAUGURATES. SPACE EXPLORATION IS NOT FAR FETCHED NOW, IT IS RATHER AN INTEGRAL PART. PRIVATE ENTERPRISES THEREFORE SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE WITH IN THE GOVERNMENT REGULATION. YES THERE ARE MORE PRESSING ISSUES IN THE WORLD AND YES THE COUNTRY IS GOING THROUGH A CRITICAL PERIOD BUT AMERICA AS A NATION CAN NOT UNDERMINE THE GREAT LEGACY THAT IT EARNED. CITATION DIAMANDIS, BY PETER. "THE CASE FOR PRIVATE SPACE - WSJ.COM."BUSINESS NEWS & FINANCIAL NEWS - THE WALL STREET JOURNAL - WSJ.COM. WEB. 18 NOV. 2010. <HTTP://ONLINE.WSJ.COM/ARTICLE/SB10001424052748703382904575059350409331536.HTML> "US Economy Timeline."New York News, Traffic, Sports, Weather, Photos, Entertainment, and Gossip - NY Daily News. Web. 17 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nydailynews.com/money/useconomytimeline/index.html>. "Understanding the President's FY 2011 Budget."Economic Policy Institute. Web. 17 Nov. 2010. <http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/ib273/>. "Budget Cuts Launch Debate on NASA's Future | PBS NewsHour | Feb. 2, 2010 | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 17 Nov. 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/jan-june10/nasa_02-02.html>. SMITH, MARCIA. "SPACE LAW." SPACE POLICY ONLINE. WEB. Synthesis essay What issues should be considered most important is making decisions about space exploration? Sabera Buhara R1 Mr Weintraut 11/19/10 ...read more.

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