Funding NASA
NASA's budget has been on a downward trend for decades. Its funding must be increased to not only continue NASA and space exploration, but to also help the economy and jumpstart innovation.
Dear Future President,
NASA’s portion in the federal budget has been declining for the past fifty years. According to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, NASA’s funding is only 0.5% of the federal one, significantly less than its percentage of 4.41% in 1966. Many say the government administration is frivolous compared to other pressing matters of state, but this assumption is not true. Increasing NASA’s budget, in fact, would not only boost the economy, but would also fuel innovation and inspire the public.
NASA benefits the nation’s economy more than most would first guess. According to economic analyst Kimberly Amadeo of The Balance, NASA gives $10 to the economy for every dollar invested in it. This high return rate is due to NASA being closely tied to both commercial companies and other government administrations such as the Department of Defense and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With these relationships, thousands of jobs are created, lowering unemployment rates and improving the standard of living for many.
NASA propels society forward in other ways as well, one of the most prominent being stimulating innovation. According to NASA’s Spin Off, much of the products made by the administration are widely used today, some of which we cannot live without. Enriched baby formulas, heart defibrillators, long distance communication, and even solar panels have come from NASA’s missions. Studies in robotics have led to the development of artificial limbs, and the Apollo space mission led to fire-resistant reinforcement that would slow building collapse. Increasing NASA’s funding would open the possibility of even more inventions that could not only save our lives, but also revolutionize how we live.
Author Leroy Eimes said “a leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see and who sees before others see.” A leader, a president, must do what is best for the country of today and of tomorrow. Given its many benefits, increasing NASA’s funding would support more people and ultimately move American society forward in the science and technology.
In the end, a president’s job is not only to protect the country; it is also to inspire people of all ages. John F. Kennedy did it with the race to the moon, and Ronald Reagan did it with the end of the Cold War. By funding NASA, the idea of going to space can stop being a dream and start becoming reality. A greater love for this nation, a greater sense of hope and motivation, can be created just by discovering more about the universe. With an inspired people, who knows what great things will come forth?
Regards,
Juliana C.
11th Grade
Newbury Park, California