The Augustine Commission, designed to review the current NASA mission, was in League City today taking testimony from elected officials, JSC management, and from the public.
Elected Officials
Senators Hutchinson, Cornyn, and Congressmen Olson and Culberson submitted comments either by letter or video. All four gave rah-rah speeches, NASA is our future, our children need science, blah, blah, blah. Culberson was the only person who acknowledge that Bush directed NASA to support the shuttle, the space station, go to the Moon and Mars, and build a new vehicle, all without adequate funding. Kudos to Culberson for saying this.
Whats the problem?
As Culberson said, the Bush Administration changed NASA's mission and sent us on a very expensive journey without any new funding, much like the No Child Left Behind Act. But NASA was at fault for not standing up and saying we couldn't meet the challenge with the limited funds. At the time NASA Administrator O'Keefe wouldn't disclose the cost of going to the moon ($150B) or mars ($500B). So bottom line is that NASA has a new direction, but not enough money.
Public Testimony
A handful of folks testified for a few minutes each, few provided anything significant beside the rah-rah. Most said nothing more than send money. And that was actually the main issue, send money. Someone suggested that NASA's budget be increased from $18B to $72B. (yea right) Another NASA employee said to simply "Stay the course", as in continue going to the Moon and Mars, maintain the Shuttle and Space Station, as well as building the new vehicle. (Oh and send money to pay his salary and health care for the next 10 years) This same person took a cheap shot at the President claiming he doesn't support NASA.
Conclusion
So, in the end, it is all about money. NASA employees say we have a clear path and vision, yet are not shy about asking for another handout. The commission has a very serious problem. Do we stay the course and ask for more money? Or do we live within our budget and chart an achievable goal? It is obvious, we have enough money to do everything half ass, or enough to do a few things right.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
No NASA employee left behind.
The Augustine Commission, designed to review the current NASA mission, was in League City today taking testimony from elected officials, JSC management, and from the public.
Elected Officials
Senators Hutchinson, Cornyn, and Congressmen Olson and Culberson submitted comments either by letter or video. All four gave rah-rah speeches, NASA is our future, our children need science, blah, blah, blah. Culberson was the only person who acknowledge that Bush directed NASA to support the shuttle, the space station, go to the Moon and Mars, and build a new vehicle, all without adequate funding. Kudos to Culberson for saying this.
Whats the problem?
As Culberson said, the Bush Administration changed NASA's mission and sent us on a very expensive journey without any new funding, much like the No Child Left Behind Act. But NASA was at fault for not standing up and saying we couldn't meet the challenge with the limited funds. At the time NASA Administrator O'Keefe wouldn't disclose the cost of going to the moon ($150B) or mars ($500B). So bottom line is that NASA has a new direction, but not enough money.
Public Testimony
A handful of folks testified for a few minutes each, few provided anything significant beside the rah-rah. Most said nothing more than send money. And that was actually the main issue, send money. Someone suggested that NASA's budget be increased from $18B to $72B. (yea right) Another NASA employee said to simply "Stay the course", as in continue going to the Moon and Mars, maintain the Shuttle and Space Station, as well as building the new vehicle. (Oh and send money to pay his salary and health care for the next 10 years) This same person took a cheap shot at the President claiming he doesn't support NASA.
Conclusion
So, in the end, it is all about money. NASA employees say we have a clear path and vision, yet are not shy about asking for another handout. The commission has a very serious problem. Do we stay the course and ask for more money? Or do we live within our budget and chart an achievable goal? It is obvious, we have enough money to do everything half ass, or enough to do a few things right.
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2 comments:
Funding for NASA and all the contractors is nothing but white collar welfare. They should do with what they have and get over it. They are lucky to have such an easy job.
Hutchison it is.
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