Bush: the space president?

From: Steve Dufour (stevenjamesdufour_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 10/31/04 

Date: 31 Oct 2004 07:20:34 -0800

WASHINGTON TIMES
Editorial 10/31/2004

Bush's bold space policy

The election on Nov. 2 will have many far-reaching implications, not
the least of which is mankind's fledgling reach into space.
Differences in space policy may not swing many voters, but the
divergent visions of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry merit careful
consideration.
    Mr. Kerry's prospective space policy reflects a pre-Columbia
mindset, reaching back to the days before the tragedy that claimed
seven astronauts and disregarding the hard choices it necessitated.
The loss of Columbia did more than reduce the shuttle fleet; it
dictated either the retirement or re-certification of the remaining
shuttles by 2010. Neither alternative is wise. The shuttles have never
fulfilled their promise and their primary destination, the
International Space Station (ISS), has proved a costly experimental
platform.

    The bold alternative of exploration is almost an afterthought
under Mr. Kerry's plan. He supports human and robotic solar system
exploration, "but only as one goal among several." Instead, Mr. Kerry
would return the manned space program to spinning in circles, as it
has done for decades. "Two of NASA's top priorities," under Mr. Kerry,
would be returning the shuttle to flight and completing the ISS,
according to spokesman Jason Furman. Mr. Furman added that Mr. Kerry
believes that the ISS should have a "much broader mission."
    That mission is heavily weighted toward Earth. In an Oct. 25
one-page position paper, Mr. Kerry promises to "pursue a more balanced
space and aeronautics program, one that assigns appropriate priority
to all NASA programs." The senator would effectively clip NASA's wings
by putting more emphasis on Earth science and aeronautics, including
spending on a "secure air traffic management system."
    Another of Mr. Kerry's declared goals for space exploration is
"ensuring that [it] is a global undertaking that unites all nations in
a quest for understanding." (Presumably, doing so will allow America
to pass the global test.)
    Mr. Bush's space vision encourages international involvement, too,
but only as a part of a far grander purpose — our reach upward and
outward. His post-Columbia space policy calls for a sustained human
push into the solar system — and beyond. Mr. Bush puts the focus of
the manned space program exactly where it should be: space
exploration.
    Mr. Bush aims to permanently break the bonds of low-Earth orbit,
making discoveries and developing infrastructure along the way.
Benefits in the form of innovative solutions and technical spinoffs
will be a consequence of that exploration, but they are not, per se,
its primary object.
    Rather, as Mr. Bush declared in his memorial speech for the
Columbia astronauts, "The cause of exploration and discovery is not an
option we choose. It is a desire written in the human heart."
    The contrasts are stark. A Kerry administration would delay — if
not doom — America's reach into space.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Bush: the space president?
    ... > Differences in space policy may not swing many voters, ... > divergent visions of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry merit careful ... > would return the manned space program to spinning in circles, ... > Another of Mr. Kerry's declared goals for space exploration is ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: the space president?
    ... > Differences in space policy may not swing many voters, ... > divergent visions of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry merit careful ... > would return the manned space program to spinning in circles, ... > Another of Mr. Kerry's declared goals for space exploration is ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Kerry criticizes Bushs space vision
    ... The idea behind the exploration policy is to have a long term goal. ... We need a vehicle to replace the shuttle; ... shuttle will never be cheap or as safe as possible for long term use. ... I think Kerry is just saying anything that is the opposite of Bush and ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Kerry criticizes Bushs space vision
    ... lunar and martian MANNED explorations. ... the solar system and the heck with manned exploration. ... Does Kerry say if he’s going to increase NASA’s budget if he becomes ... moon walkers have endorsed the plan as well. ...
    (sci.space.policy)
  • Re: Is there a Space Policy for Earth?
    ... Anything the UN dreams up on the topic of space is likely to discourage ... exploration and development. ... For a UN Space Policy I suggest you look ...
    (sci.space.policy)