Obamunist Mediocrity Imposed on Space Program

At least Comrade Obama’s NASA plans are consistent with his other objectives. As in all other areas, he is imposing mediocrity. Take it from former astronauts Neil Armstrong, James Lovell, and Eugene Cernan:

The United States entered into the challenge of space exploration under President Eisenhower’s first term, however, it was the Soviet Union who excelled in those early years. Under the bold vision of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, and with the overwhelming approval of the American people, we rapidly closed the gap in the final third; of the 20th century, and became the world leader in space exploration.

America’s space accomplishments earned the respect and admiration of the world. Science probes were unlocking the secrets of the cosmos; space technology was providing instantaneous worldwide communication; orbital sentinels were helping man understand the vagaries of nature. Above all else, the people around the world were inspired by the human exploration of space and the expanding of man’s frontier. It suggested that what had been thought to be impossible was now within reach. Students were inspired to prepare themselves to be a part of this new age. No government program in modern history has been so effective in motivating the young to do “what has never been done before.”

World leadership in space was not achieved easily. In the first half-century of the space age, our country made a significant financial investment, thousands of Americans dedicated themselves to the effort, and some gave their lives to achieve the dream of a nation. In the latter part of the first half century of the space age, Americans and their international partners focused primarily on exploiting the near frontiers of space with the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.

The ISS was something of an exercise in “we are the world” international hand-holding, but the space program was about to get back on track with the Constellation program, intended to return us to the moon and then outward to Mars. But then came the most shameful event in American history: the 2008 election. As one of its many tragic consequences, Constellation was canceled.

Now we won’t even be able to get to the Space Station without begging a ride from the Russians, who rejected the collectivism American voters were tricked into embracing.

America’s only path to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station will now be subject to an agreement with Russia to purchase space on their Soyuz (at a price of over 50 million dollars per seat with significant increases expected in the near future) until we have the capacity to provide transportation for ourselves. …

For The United States, the leading space faring nation for nearly half a century, to be without carriage to low Earth orbit and with no human exploration capability to go beyond Earth orbit for an indeterminate time into the future, destines our nation to become one of second or even third rate stature. …

Without the skill and experience that actual spacecraft operation provides, the USA is far too likely to be on a long downhill slide to mediocrity.

Mediocrity, imposed on all by the scuttling bureaucrats who serve as its avatars — that’s liberalism in a nutshell. This is why our science funds are now spent on manufacturing phony data to prop up the global warming hoax instead of striving for new frontiers.

moon walk
Our best days don’t have to be behind us.

On a tip from Byron. Cross-posted at Moonbattery.

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