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The exploration vision, now on sale

A number of press accounts have erroneously reported that the Vision for Space Exploration will cost on the order of $1 trillion. In a recent editorial, the editors of the Berkshire (MA) Eagle have apparently decided to discount the alleged price of the plan:

The program could cost as much as $800 billion at a time when Washington is building a huge deficit and slashing health and social programs.

A trillion-dollar plan, now 20% off! Needless to say, the newspaper is not terribly fond of the vision, and has some advice for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry:

Senator John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, has had little to say about the American space program thus far. Here is what we would like to hear him say: The manned moon and Mars program is canceled, and some of the money saved will go to inexpensive unmanned missions like the highly successful Mars lander program and the exciting Cassini mission now exploring Saturn and its rings. Money will be freed up for similar programs by the cancellation of the Pentagon cash cow known formally as the National Missile Defense program and informally as “Star Wars.” Finally, once the space shuttle program is active again, one of its last missions before it is phased out will be the repairing of the Hubble.

Someone should tell the Eagle’s editors that NASA and the Defense Department are funded from different appropriations…

6 comments to The exploration vision, now on sale

  • Mike Puckett

    Sounds like the bleeting of sheep to me “Baaah, Baaah!”

    Proof that any idiot can write for a newspaper, actual talent not required.

  • “The manned moon and Mars program is canceled, and some of the money saved will go to inexpensive unmanned missions…”
    Berkshire (MA) Eagle

    “This question implies that public funds are transferable. However, the reduction of support for one national program does not carry a guarantee of increased support for other projects.”
    Robert Jastrow and Homer E. Newell
    Why Land on the Moon?
    http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/63aug/jastrow.htm

    “Some people say we should take the money we are putting into space and put it into housing or education … My judgment is that… they would cut the space program and you would not get additional funds for education.”
    President Kennedy

  • Brad

    gotta love the fact-free universe that the anti-space proponents live in

  • Watcher

    “The manned moon and Mars program is canceled, and some of the money saved will go to inexpensive unmanned missions like the highly successful Mars lander program and the exciting Cassini mission now exploring Saturn and its rings.”

    Cassini cost $3.3 billion and is considered to be one of the last “big-budget” NASA projects.

  • Bill White

    Someone should tell the Eagle’s editors that NASA and the Defense Department are funded from different appropriations.

    If not “us” then who?

    Just remember, to begin by telling them they are stupid is a lousy way to win an argument. Even if they are stupid. . . ;-/

  • Anonymous

    “Cassini cost $3.3 billion and is considered to be one of the last “big-budget” NASA projects.”

    Actually, NASA robotic programs are creeping up in cost. JIMO would easily cost more than Cassini, possibly up to $10 billion. In addition, some of NASA’s other robotic missions will cost significant amounts as well. The Mars rover will cost over $1 billion.