HTV3 NASA Launch 9:15 EST

[TheArmyGuy]

forget NASA. You can almost literally watch tax dollars go up in smoke as the satellite launches.

But what other frontier is there still to conquer that isn't equally expensive?

[Ad Bot]

[Lil Robot]

But what other frontier is there still to conquer that isn't equally expensive?

my ass ;)

[Fredulus]

forget NASA. You can almost literally watch tax dollars go up in smoke as the satellite launches.

As of 2008 the Iraq war had cost more money than the entire running budget of NASA from 1958 up to 2008. NASA represents about 0.5% of the entire United States federal budget from year to year. If you want to bitch about inefficient government spending, I'll gladly join in - but at least educate yourself. NASA is by far one of the most efficient and least funded agencies.

[CreamTurk3y]

2012, we're all going to die.

QUICK TO THE VAULTS!

[dorkdotdan]

As of 2008 the Iraq war had cost more money than the entire running budget of NASA from 1958 up to 2008. NASA represents about 0.5% of the entire United States federal budget from year to year. If you want to bitch about inefficient government spending, I'll gladly join in - but at least educate yourself. NASA is by far one of the most efficient and least funded agencies.

It's still unnecessary.

People are hypnotized by space because it's so new and cool that they forget how much it costs to run it in a government atmosphere and it goes beyond all rationalism. I've had people tell me that government needs to support the space program because we're running out of water and they need to find more in space. Also, 0.5% of the national budget is still 13.135 Billion dollars. Certainly you can come up with that money if you love space exploration that much.

Guess who pioneered space technology?

NASA & the NASA equivalent in Russia.

Who pioneered the Automobile or the Airplane? Certainly not the government. If Private Industries can create planes and trains and cars, it can create space shuttles.

[Extrude]

There's also the fact that 0.01% of tax money goes towards NASA. This is an actual figure.

And then there's the military, technological and scientific bonus of having a large and influential space program. Just be quiet.

[dorkdotdan]

There's also the fact that 0.01% of tax money goes towards NASA. This is an actual figure.

And then there's the military, technological and scientific bonus of having a large and influential space program. Just be quiet.

The Military has certainly never bought weapons made by the market. They never employed Colt, Beretta, or Benelli weapons. And they certainly don't buy Boeing or Lockheed Martin aviation.

[Otis Da HousKat]

The Military has certainly never bought weapons made by the market. They never employed Colt, Beretta, or Benelli weapons. And they certainly don't buy Boeing or Lockheed Martin aviation.

The market for those defense contractors is created by the government so what is your point?

[Extrude]

The Military has certainly never bought weapons made by the market. They never employed Colt, Beretta, or Benelli weapons. And they certainly don't buy Boeing or Lockheed Martin aviation.

Just stop posting. I'm sure somebody else who knows why space is important will be happy to point out every detail to why it's so.

[dorkdotdan]

The market for those defense contractors is created by the government so what is your point?

While there is truth to that, they also compete in a market to the public, and while they have government funding stilts which I don't agree with, if they were really going to tank I'm pretty sure the government would let it happen and just find a new contractor. If they bailed them out however...

Just stop posting. I'm sure somebody else who knows why space is important will be happy to point out every detail to why it's so.

I'm not saying space exploration isn't important, I'm just saying that letting the government take charge is a really poor choice.

[blaman]

I'm not saying space exploration isn't important, I'm just saying that letting the government take charge is a really poor choice.

And in due time it will be mostly private sector. The thing is government spending is necessary for a research entity with no chance of profitable returns such as NASA to exist. And NASA is a necessary entity.
As it stands I'd be willing to bet money that politically speaking you lean towards the conservative side. And for that I'd like to make the broad statement that you are wrong. Feel free to argue.
If you REALLY want to stop wasting tax money on useless stuff, protest foreign aid or something. Just not a vitally important R&D organization. And don't start on defense contractors either. They are what make countries tick whether you like it or not. Just wait until China's research sector kicks into gear if you want to know the meaning of world superpower.

Besides that I've been awake for 13 hours and I'm impressed I can form a coherent sentence. I'll get back to you with an actual argument after I sleep.

[RagnaTheBroedge]

you don't even pay taxes you stupid forget, what the hell do you know or even care?