The Park Place Economist
Abstract
The research problem of this study is concerned with the United States’ investment in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This funding is important for several reasons. Firstly, NASA’s accomplishments provide benefits not only to America, but to the rest of the world. All of humanity can be proud of landing a man on the moon. NASA’s space expeditions are indeed monumental in their own right, but human pride is not the only benefit of NASA. The technological advancements required to make such explorations possible have impacted our daily lives. NASA’s research is directly responsible for the CAT scan, microceramics used to fight cancer, personal water filters, and 1,300 other advances we use every single day. Some of NASA’s inventions are now used to save lives; while others are used to make life a little easier. It is important to understand that NASA is a significant technological agency and providing funding for it implies that America is committed to advancing technology. Our country is beginning to lose its once vast lead as the world leader in technology due to other competing nations and the decreased amount of available funds for NASA. Investing in NASA is important if we are going to maintain our status as a world leader. The question, therefore, is how much are we willing to sacrifice as a country in order to pursue advancements in this industry?
Recommended Citation
Smiley, Austin '13 (2013) "How Do Economic and Political Factors Affect NASA Funding?," The Park Place Economist: Vol. 21Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol21/iss1/18