Opinions certainly vary on this subject. Throughout time there have been things that were simply too important to relinquish. The intangibles and measurable tangibles have generated tremendous results from the United States Manned Space Program. The Space Program has also been a personal interest and fascination of mine since childhood.
National Pride is a major intangible that the current administration seems to undervalue. National Pride is a far reaching feeling that is involved in many aspects of all American lives.
From a tangible standpoint the facts are clear. The United States Manned Space Program has produced a return on investment of $7 for every dollar invested. Hard to believe that this is the only U.S. Government program that actually does produce a positive return on investment, and now it is canceled. Many of the experiments that are done in space cannot be duplicated in an earth environment. The benefits from the United States Manned Space Program have been many. From Velcro and computer technology to medicine and other improvements in our daily lives, the ROI has been tremendous.
From a strategic standpoint, the United States will now be dependent on the Russian Space Program to transport U.S. Astronauts to the International Space Station. If for any reason the Russian’s decide that they don’t want to accommodate the U.S., we are stuck. Additionally the Russian’s are now by default in control of the ISS, and the United States has paid 75% of the cost. (Remember Pres. Carter giving away the Panama Canal – How’s that working out with the Chinese at both ends of the cannel) What might the do with this program / facility if for any reason they want to resume their previous stance of trying to dominate the world? In light of the Russian alignment with Iran, Venezuela, Cuba and other less than friendly to the U.S. countries, we should be concerned.
Direct economic impact of eliminating the United States Manned Space Program: Too much to name, but here are few highlights. Florida – 15,000 to 20,000 jobs directly. Another 20,000 to 30,000 jobs indirectly. Alabama – 10,000 jobs, Texas – 15,000 jobs, Utah – 4,000 jobs, etc. What do all of these states have in common? There are many more examples, but in the United States Manned Space Program alone, the loss will be around 100,000+ jobs LOST.
National Pride, Return on Investment, Improvements in modern life, Strategic / National Security issues are all reasons why the United States Manned Space Program should be continued, not eliminated.
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By: John Burdin
July 10, 2011
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