Natasha Oslinger
A Billion Here, A Billion There…
Conceptual Astronomy
July 22, 2016
A Billion Here, A Billion There…
Conceptual Astronomy
July 22, 2016
- 20 %.
- .5 %
- My initial guess was extremely far off from what the actual amount is. I believe the actual budget is far off from the perceived amount because the general population doesn’t have the capability to comprehend such large amounts of money, hence not knowing the difference. I originally believed NASA received around 500 billion dollars, I just assumed that with the amount of launches of expensive satellites they would need upwards of several hundred billion dollars. Since I have no comprehension of that amount of money, I didn’t know that around 18 billion was enough to produce what NASA produces.
- I would determine the value of astrophysical discoveries based on the projected discoveries in comparison with the cost of the machinery. Things that hold great scientific value but are underfunded would be put on hold for things with great scientific value that have less need for resources. I do not know enough about the scientific value of these various astronomical instruments, but, in my opinion, the entirety of NASA is underfunded and more money should be allocated to scientific discovery. I should add, I don’t think money should be taken away from programs that benefit the masses in trade for higher scientific spending, rather it should be taken from overfunded departments such as the military. I believe astronomical research regarding exoplanets and habitability for life on other planets is important in this day and age. I believe this because it sets the infrastructure for the following generations that might need to relocate to a different planet.