Physics 1040 Class Essay

Investing in Space Produces Results

Space exploration is not the primary political issue debated, but it has always been a
controversial public policy. Past public opinion polls show the cost of the program never
garnered strong support. During the 1960s and the Apollo Program, many questioned if human
spaceflight was the best use of public resources. By the end of the program, missions were
eliminated, budgets were slashed, and many wondered if the funds could have been used more
efficiently on domestic programs (Benson & Faherty, 2007). At the height of Apollo, the budget
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, was four and a half percent of
the entire federal budget. Currently, that number is one half of one percent and has been at that
level for quite a while (Callahan, 2014).
Despite this drastic reduction in the proportion of the budget they receive, NASA still
produces substantial results. However, these results do not manifest in the time-frame public
opinion concentrates on. Most space goals take years and even decades of planning; much
longer than election cycles and some political careers. Despite these concerns, space exploration
is an efficient use of government resources because many of the innovations needed to explore
space have quantifiable benefits on Earth, a cutting-edge space program is vital to encouraging a
generation to pursue science and engineering, and a functional space program is crucial for
national security.
The resources provided to NASA become an investment in the economy of the United
States. Multiple estimates are out there, and range between a $7 and a $14 return to the economy
for every $1 dollar invested in NASA. A more conservative estimate comes from a report
published on the NASA website that says for every $1 of NASAs budget, $2.60 returns to the
economy (The Tauri Group, 2013, p. 10).
NASAs invests its budget in research and manufacturing, some of which they
subcontract out to private companies. This spreads the economic benefits across the country.
Subcontracting out also allows for the innovations to reach the public sooner. Estimates are that
for every spin-off of a NASA innovation, $1 million returns to the economy. These numbers are
not specific because no set criteria exist for measuring the impact (The Tauri Group, 2013, pp.
11-12). Although it is the consensus the impact is significant.
Not all the innovations NASA produces or finances are only used in the space program.
Many innovations that sprang from space exploration have become a part of everyday life. This
list includes GPS, infrared ear thermometers, improved solar panels, LEDs, cordless vacuums,
cordless drills, and improved radial tires (NASA, n.d.). People use these and many other items
and without realizing the investment of public money in the space program is responsible for
their invention.
Another example of the importance of NASA support for a developing technology is the
story of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit chip was an untested technology when it
came on the market from Fairchild Semiconductor. Most people did not trust its reliability, but
some engineers at NASA thought it would be perfect for some of the systems on the Apollo
spacecraft. Rigorous standards were created to ensure the dependability and durability of the
chips (Ceruzzi, 2015). This improved both the production and provided a stamp of approval for
a new technology as well as an influx of needed capital to an emerging industry. Now, these
chips are in almost everything vital to modern society.
NASA research has also benefited human health. Many medical discoveries have roots in
research done for the space program. Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) can be traced back to
research done by NASA (NASA, n.d.). Many of the osteoporosis drugs used to prevent or slow
the bone loss that comes with aging can be sourced back to research for the space program.
Long duration space flights in zero-g cause astronauts to lose bone mass. These drugs help to
slow or counteract that loss. There are many other examples and the research continues with
some potential discoveries waiting to be announced with the study of the Kelly twins after one
spent a year on the International Space Station.
A lively and dynamic space program is also beneficial in mobilizing a generation to
pursue scientific careers. During the last application period for astronauts, NASA received a
record number of applications. In fact, they received three times as many applicants as they had
during the last application period four years earlier (NASA, 2016). This record interest in the
space program can be attributed to a renewed focus on pushing the American goals in space
forward. However, it is not just about getting people interesting in being astronauts. Support
personnel are needed to build the rockets, write the software, and calculate the numbers. The
turnover in these positions is very high so replacements are needed, but also the people that leave
eventually go on to work on technology and research that continues to impact our lives.
Interest in the traditional STEM fields, science, technology, engineering, and math, rises
in popularity when the American space program has a clear goal and is in the public
consciousness. In 2011, NASA had over 8,000 applications for internships, fellowships, and
scholarships (The Tauri Group, 2013, p. 24). This renewed interest in the scientific fields will
help drive innovation for generations. This creates a cycle of perpetual inspiration and
innovation.
A competent space program is also valuable for national security. The technology needed
to launch a rocket is comparable to the technology needed to launch an intercontinental ballistic
missile. The foundation of the space program is found in the ideas of missile designers like
Werner von Braun and Robert Goddard. This was a large motivating factor for the United States
government to invest so heavily in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. The Cold War
rivalry was not just about bragging rights on being first to explore something new. The
technological innovations were necessary to control the literal high ground.
In modern society, the national security benefits are not found just in the military use of
space hardware. The real security benefit lies in the international cooperation that space
exploration demands. This cooperation is essential to spreading out the financial burden but also
crucial to finding all the researchers and engineers needed. A very deep talent pool is required
and a single nation cannot meet that demand.
Nations with shared interests are less likely to resort to armed conflict. They are more
likely to pursue peaceful resolutions, thus ensuring the security of all nations. Currently, the
United States and Russia have a contentious political relationship, but in space they are partners.
The International Space Station, ISS, could not exist or thrive without this cooperation. The US
and Russian space programs are partners when it comes to the safety, maintenance, and cost of
sustaining the ISS. This international partnership extends to the European Space Agency, the
Japanese Space Agency, and other countries with emerging space programs.
 Support for NASA has wavered over the last three presidential administrations with
multiple starts and stops. The policy of the George W. Bush administration was to return to the
Moon with the Constellation program. When Barack Obama came into office, he canceled that
program because of cost overruns and folded some of its programs into a long-term goal of
sending humans to Mars. The Donald Trump administration has refocused on going back to the
Moon with talks of establishing a permanent presence there. Each time policy has shifted cost
has been a primary concern. With the constant push to cut governmental budgets, the need to
protect and advocate for NASAs budget is crucial. Oversight is important but long-term
planning and commitment are necessary because the results can be radical and astonishing. It is
not a case of money just being thrown into space. The products from the investment in the space
program have tangible benefits on Earth in the form of technological innovations, an increased
emphasis on science education, and international cooperation that reduces the risk of armed
conflict.

Works Cited

Benson, C. D., & Faherty, B. W. (2007, March 26). Pruning the Apollo Program. Retrieved
November 3, 2017, from Moonport: A History of Apollo Launch Facilities and
Operations: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-4204/ch22-8.html
Callahan, J. (2014, August 27). The Competition for Dollars. Retrieved November 23, 2017,
from The Planetary Society: http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2014/0826-
nasas-competition-for-dollars.html
Ceruzzi, P. (2015, October 14). Apollo Guidance Computer and the First Silicon Chips.
Retrieved November 16, 2017, from Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum:
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/apollo-guidance-computer-and-first-silicon-
chips
NASA. (2016, February 19). Record Number of Americans Apply to #BeAnAstronaut at NASA.
Retrieved November 3, 2017, from NASA.Gov: https://www.nasa.gov/press-
release/record-number-of-americans-apply-to-beanastronaut-at-nasa
NASA. (n.d.). NASA Spinoffs. Retrieved November 3, 2017, from NASA Technologies Benefit
Our Lives: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/tech_benefits.html
The Tauri Group. (2013, April). NASA Socio-Economic Impacts. Retrieved November 14, 2017,
from National Aeronautics and Space Administration:
https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SEINSI.pdf