Space Exploration: Want to fund more 'Rocket Men'?
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Space Exploration: Want to fund more 'Rocket Men'?
Yesterday, the crew of Atlantis awoke to Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” according to NASA. This tune was followed by a message from the musician himself: “Good morning, Atlantis, this is Elton John. We wish you much success on your mission. A huge thank you to all the men and women at NASA who worked on the shuttle for the last three decades.”
How important are manned or unmanned space programs?
About three-quarters of Americans say that it’s at least somewhat important for our nation to have manned space programs, reports a new Rassmussen poll. About a third says: very important. Roughly the same level of support is given to unmanned space programs.
Despite this support, only 38 percent think that the government should fund future space programs. Only 18 percent say the government should spend more money, with 30 percent saying the feds should spend less.
Private sector funding is viewed as a viable alternative to public money. About one-third of Americans say that’s where we should look to fund future space programs.
How important is it to you that we continue manned or unmanned space programs?
Are you willing to have your tax dollars spent on such programs?
Would you like your money to be used elsewhere?
Space Exploration: Could China produce the next Sputnik?
Can you say: “taikonaut”? You’d better learn the term before we see a taikonaut on live TV walking on the moon. It’s the Chinese term, in English characters, for what we’ve called an astronaut.
While our country is cutting way back on manned space exploration, China is eager to take our place in outer space. For several years now, the Chinese Shenzou Program has been sending taikonauts aloft on pre-lunar-landing training missions.
Now, how do you feel about grounding the shuttle and, with it, America’s manned space exploration?
A theme in the national conversation about the end of the U.S. shuttle program is China’s rapidly rising space ambitions. The consensus is that what China lacks in technology and experience it makes up in economic wherewithal, political will and a long view of history. China could surpass the U.S.
China has reached several key milestones in the last several years — putting an astronaut in space, sending a moon probe, and a spacewalk. All these happened decades after the U.S. and Russia did the same, but it reveals a trend of deepening capabilities.
Now, China plans to start building its own space station, send a rover to the moon, and — in about a decade — put its Neil Armstrong on the moon. Eventually, China wants a long-term presence on the moon and a similar presence in near-earth orbit.
Some worry that one day Americans will look up at earth’s satellite and see Chinese real estate. Others fret the possible military implications of China’s space ambitions.
Unless we mount a renewed space effort, a nation like China may achieve space leadership and claim this symbol of global power and influence. Since the U.S. has been the leader for so long, the loss of leadership would symbolize the decline of U.S. power and influence.
Perhaps, however, rivals for space leadership may spur healthy competition. A string of Chinese accomplishments could be the equivalent of Sputnik — a wake-up call to re-invest in science, engineering, and big dreams.
What do you think?
Do Chinese ambitions spur you to support more U.S. space exploration?
Do you welcome other nations exploring outer space and the moon?
Dr. Wayne E. Baker is a sociologist on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Baker blogs daily at Our Values and can be reached at ourvaluesproject@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Comments
Greggy_D
Sun, Jul 17, 2011 : 11:53 p.m.
Want to know a sickening fact? Less than two weeks of welfare equals NASA's entire yearly budget.
FredMax
Sat, Jul 16, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
If there is a business case for more space exploration, let the free market execute it. Otherwise, lets figure out how compete with China on earth rather than spending billions more... for moonrocks.
Gordon
Sat, Jul 16, 2011 : 1:23 p.m.
Ah, the ever expanding human family with it's relative fights and make-ups. First it was familys then tribes, then clans, and then nation states and now it's more little countries and a few big countries. With a few wars, a lack of progress in replacing present cheap fuel sources we are backing ourselves into a fiscal corner. A broad view of other large political bodies indicates we may have to fall on our face before we can climb again. e.g. Rome, China, England, us. Slowly over the generations humans have learned to create larger and larger political bodies; but don't seem to hold them together because the self-interst rears it's ugly head and we lose the big dream / goal. So sad we we will give up on the new telescope, the space program, and the new knowledge because we spent our money on non-productive things. This makes Russia with it's (not to be liked governmemt) ahead of us because it can support it's space effort? The same applies to China who has a re-surgence in economic growth while we berate their ability to manufactor less expensively then us? Maybe we could afford the space programs by reducing the health care benefits for short-term Federal politicians?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
In the 15th century the Chinese had a world-girdling empire. Outposts in south asia and east africa. Likely the first circumnavigation of the earth. Ships two and three times larger than anything in Europe. And then the emperor ended it all. He recalled his fleets and had them burned. Why? Because there was little the outside world could teach the great Chinese empire. And, of course, it was EXACTLY at this moment that Europeans moved out of the hovel in which they were living and began expanding an exploring. Hence began the decline of the East and the Rise of the West. So, six centuries later, the only nations with heavy lift capability into space are Russians the Chinese, as we "burn" our "ships". That they have a space program and we don't ought not bother us. What ought bother us is that they have ambition and vision, while we, as a nation, appear to lack both--that is, except to cut taxes. Good Night and Good Luck
trespass
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
Much of China's space program is based on technology given to them by American universities. Much of that technology is "dual use" and will also help make their ballistic missles more accurate and reliable. Rest assured that our Universities have made sure that if there ever is a nuclear war with China, more of their missiles will hit their targets. Read more at: <a href="http://www.china-threat.com/anti-satellite.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.china-threat.com/anti-satellite.html</a>
DonBee
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
In the astroid belt is more high value metals than on the whole of planet earth. There is more energy available than on earth. There is water up there too. If we want to stop mining earth, space may be our only option.
newsboy
Fri, Jul 15, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
Yes, I think this would be a great accomplishment for China's Communist party and its Capitalist population. This is proof that these two great ideas can work together, or simply; a sign that Walmart is seeking space dominance. Now if we could just get the Neocons and Libs to kiss and make-up; we might have an economy that would allow the USA to get back into space exploitation.