Sean Duffy, head of the US Dept. of Transportation and acting NASA Administrator said on Aug. 14 that NASA will "move aside" from climate and earth science and concentrate solely on space exploration.
If the change in emphasis makes sense it should be extended to NASA in its entirety. The 2024 budget of the agency is $24.875 billion. A work force of over 18,000 professionals push the boundaries of science and technology to, as NASA proudly states, "contribute to various projects that aim to explore outer space and further human understanding of our universe."
Yeah, OK. Thanks to the billions of dollars spent in the effort all that there is to show for it are a few moon rocks and some artists' renderings of far away stars. While the accomplishment of going to the moon is perhaps something to produce pride in the simple minded, it hasn't produced any practical benefits for the proles that have involuntarily financed it. Further understanding of our universe, at least further than it goes now, isn't necessary for further human progress. We'll be just fine if we don't know a thing about black holes and stars 700 million light years away. If enough people care about whatever knowledge might be available, let them voluntarily pay for it.
ar.inspiredpencil.com A Moon Rock
No comments:
Post a Comment