Heads Up: State of The Union, No talk of Space

[mikejz]

Just got a copy of the speech, no talk of space<br /><br />Only slightly relevent part:<br /><br />"First: I propose to double the Federal commitment to the most critical basic research programs in the physical sciences over the next ten years. This funding will support the work of America’s most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing, and alternative energy sources. "

 

[nolirogari]

So what!<br /><br />In his 3rd state of the union address JFK only said this about space...<br /><br />"In submitting a tax program which will, of course, temporarily increase the deficit but can ultimately end it--and in recognition of the need to control expenditures--I will shortly submit a fiscal 1964 administrative budget which, while allowing for needed rises in defense, space, and fixed interest charges, holds total expenditures for all other purposes below this year's level."<br /><br />...and later...<br /><br />"Turning to the world outside, it was only a few years ago--in Southeast Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, even outer space--that communism sought to convey the image of a unified, confident, and expanding empire, closing in on a sluggish America and a free world in disarray. But few people would hold to that picture today. "<br /><br />...and then this...<br /><br />"We have doubled our efforts in space, to assure us of being first in the future."<br /><br />...and finally...<br /><br />"Through hot wars and cold, through recession and prosperity, through the ages of the atom and outer space, the American people have never faltered and their faith has never flagged."<br /><br />This was a time when the space race was red hot and it was one of the main topics on everyone's mind. In the same address he never said the word "moon" at all. And this was the guy who sent us to the moon in the first place.<br /><br />Bush does not mention space... so what.<br /><br />

 

[mikejz]

Not saying it good or bad, just that if anyone was looking foward to hearing it that it was not included.

 

[mlorrey]

The closest he came was talking about increasing funding for science research and education. I don't mind if they axe NASA, just so long as they sell off all the goodies and get out of the way of the rest of us.

 

[n_kitson]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Bush tends to make policy announcements at dedicated, and supportive, venues for them. <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Not sure if I recall correctly, but wasn't Project Prometheus, the VSE, SS overhaul and the intent to invade Iraq (in the form of axis of evil) announced at SOU speeches?

 

[explorer11]

I dont' think the VSE was announced at a any SOU address. Bush did give a speech at NASA headquarters ( at a "dedicated, and supportive, venue") January 14, 2004, near the time of the 2004 SOU. <br /><br />Here's a link to NASA's website and the transcript ofthe president's speech. [url=htttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/bush_vision.html]htttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/main/bush_vision.html [/url]

 

[jschaef5]

I was looking through that speech and saw this:<br /><br /><br />"And the fascination generated by further exploration will inspire our young people to<br />study math and science and engineering and create a new generation of innovators and<br />pioneers."<br /><br />definitly parallels to what the president said in the state of the union.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[john_316]

The President still believes in the vision. Actually he is counting on it. The prospect of not just exploring and colonizing the solar system but big business will be going there too with all the inovative technology.<br /><br />Business will need to drive the machine. We all need to realize the facts in the coming 20+years. Energy requirments, food, climate, food, and most of all....<br /><br />World over-population.... <br /><br />What will do about it if we dont have a war to keep the worlds population at a stable rate or in the case a neutral rate?<br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br /><br />Note I said the f word several times.....

 

[ob1kenobe85]

I am starting to think Bush doesnt even give a d*** about anything but war, why go to space when we got countries that want to mess around? I have given up hope for the space program, because they arent getting enough funding. That's just me...<br /><br />Anyone know where I can get a copy of the SOU to read?

 

[Swampcat]

<font color="yellow">"Anyone know where I can get a copy of the SOU to read?"</font><br /><br />Try a search engine. Google is good. <br /><br />Here's one source == /> 2006 State of the Union text. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[BReif]

I've been through the emotion and the frustration of this for the past 20 years. NASA never seemed to get the funding it needed to carry on its missions, and NASA never got positive press even when things went right. Mostly, the space program was largely ignored.<br /><br />In this case, with the SOU, and Pres. Bush, I would not jump too quickly to the conclusion that space not being mentioned equates to a lack of support for the program. The VSE was announced by him, not as a program per se, but as a vision into which individual programs needed to serve. <br /><br />The VSE is not just a single program, but will be many, some funded, and some not funded. Certainly the CEV and the ESAS are a part of accomplishing the VSE, as well as LRO in 2008, Stardust, Cassini, MER, and other robotic missions. Even the Shuttle and ISS are a part of the overall strategy for accomplishing the vision. <br /><br /> However, if Shuttle falls on its face becasue another piece of foam comes of the ET, that doesn't necessarily mean that the VSE is dead or unachievable. <br /><br />If CEV and ESAS doesn't get funded, then that is more critical, unless there is an alternative architecture to be presented.<br /><br />The Vision for Space Exploration calls for getting back to the Moon, going to Mars, and Beyond. The task is finding finding and funding programs to acheive it.<br /><br />Also, there is Bi-Partisan support for the VSE in Congress, and the Congress endorsed the VSE as national space policy in their last NASA authorization bill, signed into law by President Bush. So, in the SOU, there really was no real pressing need to bring it up. It already has congressional support, and their work on the authorization bill has been completed. In the FY 2007 budget, manned space remained at the same level to support the Shuttle, ISS, and the developement of the CEV and ESAS. In actuality, all seems to be on track for manned spaceflight.

 

[spayss]

The best and most efficient means to advance space exploration is through investment in basic research and not through large agencies such as NASA.<br /><br />An extra billion spent on establishing fundamental infrastructure on particle research, nanotechnology, metallurgy, etc. does multiple more for future advancement than another billion for a Shuttle launch of dubious value.<br /><br />Folks, we're broke. We're at war and the American space keeners mutter the words but don't accept the consequences. 5 more troops killed today in Iraq. We don't have the luxury of puting more moolah into space toys. Congress will just not do it. Money invested in technological infrastructure and basic research will get approval but more money to go to the Moon at this point is a dead duck.

 

[frasercain]

No talk of space!!!!?