Balancing Science and Exploration

摘要

It seems quite likely that a poll of space scientists and engineers would show strong agreement with the general thrust of U.S. President George W. Bush's Jan. 14,2004 speech. It is widely accepted that NASAs human spaceflight program should have a meaningful purpose. The vision expressed by President Bush would take human space activity from its present state of flying around in circles (in low-Earth orbit) and eventually move to exploring the surface of Mars. This is an exciting and compelling objective for America's space program and, indeed, for all of humanity. The president's vision, however, will require very substantial funding increases for NASA. Without them, the vision will wither and die. By most estimates there is not enough money in the current NASA budget (about $15.4, billion in 2004) to complete the international space station, begin a new human exploration launch vehicle, and carry out NASAs planned science programs.