The Case For Doubling NASA's Budget

           

NASA, standing for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, was created in the wake of the Cold War circa October 1958, and its inception can be accredited to the American desire to exert technological superiority over its predecessors, namely the Soviet Union. A bitter conflict that lasted decades had rivaled two countries against each other, each governed by very different political ideologies. With the launch of an SU satellite called Sputnik, president Eisenhower felt obliged to sign the National Aeronautics and Space Act. After some adjustments were made that considered the civilian freedom to control space exploration, NASA was born. The organization started strong with thousands of employees borrowed from similar institutions, immediately conducting space missions to test the limits of human ingenuity. Its first series of projects existed to test the capability of a human in surviving space for a certain period of time. Later into the 1960's, the nation was united by a common goal to visit the Moon before their prime adversaries, but after a successful landing this enthusiasm died down and the victory lost substance in the ensuing decades. Years later, another presidential decision would shape the course of NASA achievements henceforth. The construction of a space station and research base spanned from Reagan's presidency in 1984, when NASA was first authorized to begin construction, to the Clinton administration when the final redesign took place. Then, at the turn of the 21st century, an unexpected alliance formed between the competing superpowers of days long gone, the U.S. and Russia. Permanent cohabitation of the International Space Station (ISS) set a new space record and began an era of collaboration that would echo the ambitions of earlier men and women seeking to establish a presence above Earth. Aside from that, NASA probes launched in the 1970's such as Pioneer 10 and Voyager 1 continue to shape our understanding of the solar system we live in. In the 50 years leading up to today, research ventures like wind tunnels and scientific feats like the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope prove that NASA has provided the American people with boon times. At a time when we possessed little knowledge of the greater cosmos, NASA stepped in to satisfy our curiosity. It is then no wonder why the country should supply them with appropriate funds to press on with their legacy, but in today’s reality the NASA budget has only come to a halt at best. NASA's budget in fiscal year 2015 was approximately $18.1 billion, representing a mere 1.7% of the U.S. discretionary spending, or the money that the executive branch decides how to spend on an annual basis. Compared to military expenditures that totaled a whopping $496.1 billion in discretionary spending, according to About News, this 18 billion figure is inconceivably low. There is overwhelming potential for the agency to contribute to job markets, create innovative devices for use in daily life, and make scientific discoveries that would expand human knowledge of the universe and what lies within it; therefore, the proposed financial plan for fiscal year 2016 should roughly double NASA's budget to 4% of discretionary spending.

            At first glance, another obvious benefit that NASA projects provide to the people is the invention of products and tools. Known as "spinoffs", these contraptions were originally used in test flights and other projects meant for direct purposes. However, these technologies gradually found their way to the private sector and finally the public market, some taking 20 years for full manifestation and others, depending on the secondary work required, only taking a few short months. As time passed, a wide range of applications became available. For instance, Temper foam, or "memory foam" in colloquial terms, was developed in 1966 to be used as airplane seat cushioning to absorb shock and improve the experience of passengers. Now, its range of uses has stretched even further. A primary function in today's domestic world is to enhance bedtime rest by molding to the sleeper's body, but memory foam is also used in sports safety equipment, motorcycle seats, hospital mattresses, and any other type of potentially disastrous situation. As another offshoot, the material is found extensively in artificial limb models to offer amputees less friction between skin and prosthesis, which indicates that NASA products even have the potential to reshape our standard of living. Another example of a technology that has found widespread use is long distance telecommunications; calls can now be made internationally thanks to the many satellites orbiting Earth that once allowed astronauts to describe how they felt in space. In addition to physical products, NASA engineers are known for creating a food safety system in the 1960's termed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Currently utilized by both the FDA and USDA, it is designed to detect physical or chemical hazards in food products at any stage of development to ensure that customers are never at risk of getting infected. Based on the variety of examples given, it is evident that the progress made by astronomers is not just limited to helping in science endeavors; in fact, most inventions end up having a dual function. What's most amazing is that the inventions explained above only cover a fraction of all devices thought up by NASA. Throughout their history, LED's, freeze-dried food and water purification techniques also found their spot in stardom. All of these technologies point to the reality of NASA's usefulness over the years, and that with twice the budget its ability to innovate and shape consumer life could be even greater. In their 2014 annual performance report, NASA workers list some of the larger projects at hand, which they hope to accomplish with adequate funds. Under Agency Priority Goals, the team plans to launch the James Webb Space Telescope sometime in 2018, and with new scientific instruments built to gather new information it is guaranteed that more products will result. As mentioned before, these products have a tendency to enter the marketplace, so if funds were to propagate it should be expected for a number of useful inventions to make their debut. NASA's budget proposal, if followed biblically with all the details adhered to, would allow the agency to fulfill their promise of bringing a stream of gadgets to the global customer base.

            Directly, NASA funding would improve the economy in many ways, by helping to create thousands of jobs and also acting as an investment for major returns. The facilities that make up NASA headquarters are always available for more spots considering payment will follow, as the agency's workforce is 70% comprised of engineering roles that translates to endless options for development of more products and the execution of missions. However, referencing a 2007 informational booklet from The National Academies Press, the average age in NASA's workforce is between 40 and 44. By now, the mean has creeped about a decade closer to retirement age. Although that number is youthful compared to the average age in aerospace business circa 2014, the fact is that middle-aged men with important experience in gathering research are about to leave their job positions all at once. As the number of employed individuals at any of NASA's facilities drops lower than the standard 18,000, a critical factor in NASA's sustainability will be a massive influx of young and determined Millennials. Therefore, because of NASA's diminishing workforce, it is imperative to fill these positions not only to reduce U.S. unemployment, but also due to the risk of the agency's collapse. Another benefit is that the agency contributes to the space economy with trickle-down economics, improving American status. In the overview section of The Space Foundation's "Space Report", pie charts depict over three-fourths of space activity in 2013 coming from commercial products and infrastructure, of which NASA is a large contributor. This information demonstrates that NASA plays a significant role in the space economy, which ultimately benefits the world's citizens. Neil deGrasse Tyson, noted astrophysicist and Director of the Hayden Planetarium, supports this claim and agrees that the return on investments comes in the form of innovation. "Not only innovations that come directly from solving the challenges of advancing a space frontier," he said, "but also the culture and society that arises from being a participant in that frontier”.

            In addition to the tools and equipment NASA has invented and made popular over time, there are a plethora of astronomy-related discoveries the organization was fortunate enough to invest their time in, representing the third and final reason to increase spending money. The topics that concern the finds range from exoplanetary systems and knowledge of our solar system's geology, to dark matter, the existence of extraterrestrial life and black holes. Although the scope of their findings may sound extremely inapplicable and otherworldly, a surprising amount has to do with Earth's geology. Over the years, the use of satellites and other technology has enabled the study of humanity's home planet in various ways. In particular, the discovery of a layer of charged particles above the surface sparked interest within NASA. In response, they launched a program in 2012 that sent two probes to observe changes in the radiation belt in response to solar activity, which is crucial for astronaut safety. Additionally, NASA is tasked with monitoring the effects of climate change on the ozone layer, and also making predictions for atmospheric concentration based on future changes in air quality. This information is critical if the world's people are to have an accurate reading of their exposure to the sun's rays, and whether there is need for concern. Zooming in on the telescope, Mars is a neighboring planet that has seen enormous attention in recent years. The deployment of three rovers-Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity- began a second era of interplanetary exploration rivaled only by the Apollo landing. In their many voyages across the bleak topography, the robots have found evidence of an ancient streambed that may've contained water, discovered radiation levels too dangerous for human travelers, and happened upon rocky landscape that defied previous notions of a bland terrain. This series of achievements, made possible by the scientific instruments attached to the rovers, embodies a huge victory in the space industry and a newfound source of knowledge that ordinary citizens can come to appreciate. On the bolder side of NASA's accomplishments, exoplanets are a major area of interest in space. In 2014, the Kepler Space Telescope focused its vision on a specific planetary body that was unlike most others: Kepler-186f is both Earth-sized and within the habitable zone, an area around a star that is suitable for liquid water. What this means is that for the first time in space history, an entire record of knowledge has been gathered for a planet capable of harvesting life, such as the orbiting period and category its star falls under. Because of its promising features, it is precisely the kind of planet researchers are looking for as it could help explain the probability that other worlds are home to alien life, one of the most fascinating unsolved realms of cosmology. The extent of what NASA has done with regards to scientific uncovering is truly something to behold. Dedicated members have illustrated time and time again that their passion lies not only with far away planetary bodies and the mysteries that surround them, but also nearby objects that can quickly lead to practical knowledge. The selling point of joining NASA and engaging in groundbreaking research is that a worker gets to participate in what they love. This natural enthusiasm to recognize the immensity of space and chip away at its riddles holds benefits for the individual themselves, and also the society they find themselves in, as the residue of their successes makes a permanent indent in cultural values and academic subjects.

            Standing in the way of all these benefits are some common arguments people make in an attempt to defund NASA or eliminate their role in the American economy altogether. An online poll from early 2013 claimed that 26% of the people who participated see no reason in extending NASA's budget. When asked why, some announced their disapproval with the percentage of the U.S. federal budget allocated to NASA research. To paraphrase, some wrote that America could use the money for NASA to instead feed the homeless or plant trees. Although his or her plan is commendable and philanthropic, the polled individual fails to recognize that 58% of the president's discretionary spending in the same year of the poll went to military spending, representing an absurdly large figure. If contributing to the community in a meaningful way was that important, cutting a portion out of the military instead would constitute a fairer gesture. Another, more sophisticated argument involves the notion that NASA, just like other government-funded programs, spends its money without keeping the interests of the civilian population in mind. To address demand, this inefficiently spent money could go towards private enterprise that tends to minimize costs and adhere to public appeal. The author of the article, Robert Taylor, summarizes his stance by saying "consumers, not bureaucrats, should decide where precious resources go". However, this argument assumes that our only valuable resource is money, and that time is not significant in space-related activities. The reality is that time holds equal if not greater value, and we must utilize it in a decisive manner. With crowded cityscapes in the world yearning for living necessities, a critical factor in humankind's development is the productive use of time. The innovation circulating in larger space programs, along with their large sums of money, is precisely what allows scientific achievements to be made in a shorter time frame. He continues by saying "if NASA were de-funded, the private sector could begin to deliver services that are actually valuable to consumers". The aim of the private sector of business is to supply profitable goods and services to customers, while the purpose of agencies like NASA is more aligned with creating industries through discovery of new phenomena. With no cutting-edge industries emerging in the market economy, due to a complete lack of funding, the probability that private entities can drive innovation or have any effect on our lives will be reduced to zero. NASA is critical for this reason; eliminating it entirely to make way for privatized endeavors would prevent discoveries from being made that then allow new industries to enter our lives. A layout for our economy that would produce a better outcome would have the two distinct types of business working in symbiosis, as the knowledge of one ultimately and quite directly leads to the profit of the other, ensuring a happy community of people and a path to scientific uncovering that will never die down.

            To summarize, an increase in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's budget would supply thousands or even millions more workers with jobs in different fields, make way for a panoply of useful and relevant inventions, and lead humanity on the path to uncovering some of life's grandest mysteries such as astronomically close and habitable planets, or faster-than-light interstellar travel. NASA was founded with the intended purpose of sending a team of astronauts to the Moon. Its official mission statement now reads, "to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research", after removing part of their motto back in 2006. It is clear despite their many tremendous strides in astronomy research, that the agency's ultimate goal revolves around space exploration. One day this might extend into permanently settling a planetary body with human colonies abounding, and although this shows little sign of being accomplished soon, an increase in funding might ensure an earlier success.  The majority of this paper already discussed direct benefits with NASA funding that the nation can prosper from, but traveling to and living in outer space also has several side benefits that would hold value on a global scale. For one, colonization of a nearby solar system habitable for human life would combat the ever-increasing issue of overpopulation, as well as meteor impacts. By mid-century, the world population is projected to reach a number that exceeds 9 billion, and with a poor means of distributing resources like food and energy, near-term solutions will test our intellectual might to the highest extent. To make things worse, a meteorite just 350 meters in diameter could decimate an area the size of a small state, or cause tsunamis depending on the location. The death toll in a concentrated urban area would likely send us into a panic, past our ability to cope with the fatalities. Although the frequency of an asteroid collision this dangerous is very low- about once every thousand years- there is ample reason to invest in an off-world settlement well before the next strike occurs. To continue, a monetary push is exactly what's needed to revive the mainstream interest lost since the Apollo era, an age where families gathered around their television sets to view the moon landing as something breathtaking and meaningful. It would also promote international cooperation, as expanding into the far reaches of the galaxy would require many countries to pool their resources in a massive effort to journey through black and mysterious settings, and establish offworld bases where more research can continue. Similar to the collaborative nature of the ISS, this benefit of uniting us under a common goal could be far-reaching in all our endeavors from the very moment we plan the interstellar trip. Erasing cultural prejudice, generating solutions at a quicker rate, and reducing conflict could just be the start of it all. In addition, the bleak expanse we call space would serve as the opportune place for storing waste, as it is infinitely growing and, for the most part, uninhabited. This situation is ideal for the main reason that the Pacific garbage patch consists of a 1,200 miles-long stretch of tiny plastic fragments that are harming wildlife. According to a 2012 report by the Royal Society, this number has only increased as of late, and will continue to rise. "Microplastic debris in the North Pacific increased by two orders of magnitude between 1972-1987 and 1999-2010 in both numerical and mass concentrations". This statistic is not likely to improve unless humans can either reduce their trash output, or find a way to store it without compromising Earth's ecosystems. It's not only plastics that deter us from a healthy biosphere and clean community, however. The existence of hazardous waste such as toxic material poses a daily threat to human populations across the globe. A further plus to the space movement is the acquisition of valuable resources and extremely rare minerals through the mining of asteroids. This method of collection has the potential to dramatically affect the world economy, replenishing our dwindling supply of business-critical elements. For example, platinum and cobalt are commonly found on asteroids but are more of a rarity back on Earth, and could be used to build solar power satellites among other gadgets. In conclusion, although NASA was founded for a competitive purpose, the organization should become something more that can benefit all mankind. Once we recognize our destiny as a spacefaring civilization graced with the ability to reason and dream big, it will aid us greatly in our path to limitless insight if we provide aid to an agency rife with opportunity and passion. As the stars in the night sky beckon our arrival, it is imperative that we not only privatize access to space, but also return to the roots of space enthusiasm and supply the original source of these discoveries and missions, NASA, with a sizable share of the government's spending money.

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