Asri-unix.723
net.space
utcsrgv!utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!ARPAVAX:C70:sri-unix!WARD@USC-ISIF
Mon Feb 8 09:26:49 1982
Politics of Space
Yesterday I got around to reading my copy of "The Planetary
Report" and I found a reprint of an article by James Van Allen.
I contend that this article illustrates one of the problems we
have in getting the space program funded, namely, that many of
the big names of the scientific community are politically naive
and give the political opponents of science weapons to use
against us.
Very quickly, the article contends that we can not complain about
the level of funding of the space program (6 billion NASA and 3
billion DoD), that if several scientific probes have been
cancelled, we must remember that it is because the nation spends
almost all its money on manned space flight. He hints that he
thinks the space shuttle is going to be a "financial monstrosity"
being 20-50 years ahead of its time.
I disagree on several of his points. The NASA budget is not by
any reasonable accounting adequate, nor is the general level of
scientific funding. For something so vitally important to the
country to receive such a small piece of the pie is a disgrace.
I also contend that the manned space program has more than
justified itself by its returns in science and technology. And
finally, to illustrate my point, to assume that money taken from
the manned program will go to the unmanned demonstrates great
political naivity.
Van Allen's arguments sound rather similar to those made by
people like Senator Proxmire (a real tail-gunner if there ever
was one). I think that Proxmire's statements have shown that he
lacks an understanding of the scientific method and such
statements as those of Van Allen allow him to claim allies in the
scientific world (See, even their own agree with me). The battle
over funding must be fought in the political arena and we must
learn how to fight there if we are going to get anywhere .
I do not want to give the impression that I think either Dr. Van
Allen or Senator Proxmire are stupid or evil. I would very
likely like both if I were to meet them. I would, however, like
to caution people in positions like that of Dr. Van Allen to be
careful of what they say and to whom they say it. The budget you
save may be your own.
/Craig
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