1. NAOMI PEQUETTE LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE FIRST YEAR SEMINAR Politics and Space Exploration

2. NASA BUDGET PRESIDENT BUSH’S VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION Background Information

3. NASA Budget

4. 1960’s (space race)---made up 5% of the federal budget  This was an all time high for NASA’s Budget Budget steadily declined over the next few decades 1990’s—Pres. Clinton urged congress to increase NASA Budget 1999—experienced most significant budget cut in its history Over the 2000’s budget steadily increased  2006—increase of $260 million due to implementing Pres. Bush’s Vision for Space Exploration

5. NASA Budget 2007—Did not receive all the money they requested  Kept at 2006 level 2008 request—3.1% increase from what they requested in 2007 Today their budget represent.58% of the federal budget

6. Pres. Bush’s Vision for Space Exploration Announced in 2004 Complete the International Space Station by 2010 Space Shuttle will be retired by the end of the decade (once ISS is completed) Develop a new exploration vehicle (Project Orion and the CEV)  Developed and tested by 2008 and first manned mission by 2014  Be usable for going to the ISS, Moon, and Mars

7. V.S.E.—Moon to Mars Robotic mission to explore the moon by 2008 Return to the moon between 2015 and 2020 Extended presence on the moon (set up a lunar colony) Search for resources on the moon

8. V.S.E.—Moon to Mars Go to Mars after we have “practiced” on the moon Some estimates say as soon as 2025 we will send humans to Mars Set up colony And then go “beyond” Reactions are mixed in the public due to risks, money, etc.

9. Space Exploration and Political Parties

10. Democratic Party Puts more emphasis on science missions than manned exploration One of the goals of the new democratically controlled congress—greater oversight of NASA budget Mark Udall While some democrats have voted to cut NASA’s budget to prevent manned missions to Mars, the majority of them want to continue with the Moon to Mars program Want to improve NASA’s plans for the future to make a smoother transition from Shuttle/ISS to CEV and new vehicle/program

11. Republican Party Historically strong supporters of space exploration (starting with Eisenhower) However, in 1999 a republican controlled senate authorized the most significant cut in the NASA budget in history Generally endorse Bush’s vision for space exploration Strong supporters of manned missions (generally)

12. WHAT LITTLE HAS BEEN SAID The Candidates

13. Hilary Clinton Speculation about her husband’s policies effect on her Not much history with space exploration Voted favorably in key legislation: voted for the fiscal year 2005 NASA budget,key for Pres. Bush’s vision During a fundraiser—some of her advisors spoke about her policy along with some other former NASA officials  Endorsed space exploration goals that were set forth by Pres.  Stressed importance of science and earth observation programs and concern about them being cut  Briefly mentioned was government endorsement of private space exploration (ie Virgin Galactic)

14. Barack Obama He hasn’t said anything about it in his campaign Voted in 2005 to increase the NASA budget, year key to implementing Pres. Bush’s vision The e-mail promising an answer was fruitless

15. John Edwards Opposes space based weapons and a military presence in space Big supporter of human space exploration  Important to inspiring youth  Questions motives and timing of Pres. Bush’s announcement  Probably will continue with current vision for space exploration Wants to invite other countries to collaborate and participate in the United State’s space exploration programs

16. Mit Romney Didn’t mention anything until someone in an audience asked a question  Response: Our future is driven by our investment in space exploration and technology developed by it  Doesn’t know what “course he would chart” if he was elected Stop on space coast: space exploration key to America’s future global competitiveness

17. Rudy Guiliani Focus of his campaign is domestic issues Has not mentioned space exploration Does not have a voting record to look at since he was not a member of congress

18. Conclusion Still early in the campaign and more might be said later Seems that all the candidates will continue with Pres. Bush’s Vision for Space Exploration It seems that if a democrat is elected (especially Clinton) there will be pressure on NASA to balance human exploration with science missions For the next few years at least, I predict that NASA’s budget will remain constant or maybe increase a little bit (based on trends, but it depends on the goals of who is elected)

19. Citations http://www.thespacereview.com/article/408/1 http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive07/hillary_06 11.html http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive07/hillary_06 11.html http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2 0070904/OPINION/709040308/1004 http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2 0070904/OPINION/709040308/1004 http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2 0070807/NEWS01/708070344/1006 http://www.flatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2 0070807/NEWS01/708070344/1006 http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/week/040216.htm www.space.com/spacenews/businessmonday_061113.ht ml www.space.com/spacenews/businessmonday_061113.ht ml http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markup s_details.aspx?NewsID=1193 http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markup s_details.aspx?NewsID=1193

20. Citations, cont. http://science.house.gov/subcommittee/space.aspx http://www.marssociety.org/ptf/materials/republican_t alking_points.pdf http://www.marssociety.org/ptf/materials/republican_t alking_points.pdf http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/404947.stm http://www.aip.org/fyi/2000/fyi00.019.htm http://history.nasa.gov/pocketstats/sect%20D/NASA%2 0Budget.pdf http://history.nasa.gov/pocketstats/sect%20D/NASA%2 0Budget.pdf http://www.planetary.org/news/2007/0205_The_Plane tary_Society_Calls_for.html http://www.planetary.org/news/2007/0205_The_Plane tary_Society_Calls_for.html http://www.thespacereview.com/article/898/1 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20 040114-1.html http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20 040114-1.html