Annotated Bibliography
Works Cited
“NASA's Journey to Mars.” Edited by Gary Daines, NASA, NASA, 1 Dec. 2014, www.nasa.gov /content/nasas-journey-to-mars/.
This article is from the website controlled by NASA, the US government agency in charge of astronautical research and exploration. All of NASA’s activities are funded by federal taxes, and this website’s aim is to inform citizens about what the agency plans to do with that money. This article outlines NASA’s goals relating to Mars travels, including what technologies need to be developed, when the mission may occur, and why such travels are considered important. The article mainly consists of unbiased facts, but does attempt to portray a positive image of government-funded space exploration.
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The cartoon is meant to display how with the current state of science, a Mars mission is only truly possible on reality TV. It is part of an article published online by Wired, a trusted source of news about science, technology, and other aspects of geek culture. The article is about Mars One, a private company wishing to colonize Mars, and it further discusses how a mission to Mars would require significant advances to modern science, and therefore, a large amount of funding. Wired is a trustworthy, largely unbiased source, but it is not clear whether this image truly reflects how far away scientists are from a Mars mission. This source is useful because it forces the reader to think about whether a government-funded mission to Mars is plausible, considering how much work there is to be done. However, one could also interpret the cartoon by saying since it is such a large job, Mars missions should be left to the government, instead of smaller …show more content…
It was written by Charles D. Walker, an aeronautical engineer who used to work on space shuttles. In this letter, he conveys his opinion about what role NASA should play in sending people to Mars. Overall, Walker holds that while private companies can play a role, NASA must be the one to lead future space exploration missions, because of the financial nature of such ventures. The publisher of this article is a trusted major news source, and since he is a former astronaut, the author is likely very knowledge about the topic, with no obvious bias. Because this source provides perspective on the issue of private vs. government-funded space exploration, it could easily be synthesized into an essay on that
The topic of going to mars is highly discussed among scholars and ordinary people due to the reason that it is believed that Mars can support human life. Due to the fact, that global warming is on the rise has caused many scientists to believe that eventually the earth’s ecosystem will plummet, making life on earth for humans impossible. Many scientists argue that extra research on mars is needed due to the fact that the human race would eventually be forced to migrate outside of earth, if there is to be a continuation of the human race. However, the funding for such research is immense as it is, and it is projected that this “budget will increase by 20% by the government within the next few years.” This astounding increase in budget, has led to many uncertainties as to why the government funds such an expensive research for humans to leave earth when that money could be spent on the problems relating to global warming. Here on earth it is a fact that global warming is a serious issue regarding the future of the planet. Therefore, the government funds should be allocated to research ways to emit less carbon dioxide or to try and find cleaner and safer ways to create energy for the growing human population. Another reason to stop funding the research and exploration of mars is that most space exploration is caused by human curiosity. Human curiosity has led multi-million dollar institutions like NASA to explore the deep wonders of the world and discover new technologies which changed the world. Despite, the curiosity and the technologies that exploring the universe has brought, this interest is extremely expensive and time consuming. At times the curiosity led space exploration projects were made to look like a patriotic act due to political reasons. As a result, these projects were believed to be well-worth spent since it brought great
Many critics believe that NASA and space exploration should not be the main focus of the government. However, NASA is not just about flying rockets and putting men into space. There is science and engineering that is being developed to push humanity forward in life. This space program is essential to answering philosophical questions, creating new technology for practical everyday use, the international collaboration with other countries, and the long-term survival of the human
The public’s lack of knowledge about NASA’s research explains why many people believe that the organization is receiving too much funding. According to NASA.gov, the organization has received 19.3 billion dollars for the 2016 fiscal year. This equates to about 0.486% of the government budget. While this may seem like a lot, the percentage has drastically decreased over the past few decades by almost 3.5%. NASA is receiving “more money each year, but at the same time a smaller percentage of the federal budget” (Steinburg 240). There are projects that NASA is currently working on that they cannot finish due to lack of funding. If NASA can find a way to receive more funding, then not only can the organization capitalize on these current projects, but it can also open up discussion for future ones as well. The possibilities of what humans can achieve is endless, the only restrictions are time and money, two of the most important factors in society. While time can’t be controlled, money can. Now it’s just a matter of getting more of it, which is going to be hard for NASA to do, especially when people feel as though they are receiving too much funding.
Humans have always been interested in the idea of exploring space. the scientists, astronauts and researchers have spent decades looking for life on other planets. Mars is the most favorable place in the solar system, other than Earth, for human habitation. It is also the closest planet to Earth. Even though some researchers claim that exploring Mars will help us to understand the Earth better, and a manned mission to Mars is better for humanity, opposing sending a manned mission to Mars for these reasons: because the cost of the exportation is not worth the risk involved. this exploration will have a negative effect on Americans. Mars exploration should be halted because of the cost to the economy, the risk to society and the lack
Some citizens believe that NASA is a waste of time. Some would venture to say the program has “no practical use to mankind” and the $17 billion of taxpayers money is put towards failed projects and a hope to get to another planet (Government funding). Every time the program goes into space there is no guarantee they will find something new. Spending money on ineffective trips is pointless for the taxpayers; every time the astronauts go into space they go to the same places making no progress. Since the United States is tied with NASA, the program prevents branches of the government placing space work with another agency, which prevents progress with other space agencies (Government funding). Before going into space, NASA should try to solve problems on Earth first. Such as making a car that doesn’t use gas or pollute the air, finding ways to fix the ozone layer, making less pollution by using renewable resources. Instead of going to Mars, solving issues such as global warming is very important to the Earth. Global warming and climate changes are very important to keeping the Earth a safe, healthy place to live. With the debt America is already in, spending more money to send people on the same missions into space over and over again is just spending more money than the States cannot
It’s believed that NASA contributes in many ways, such as our economy, scientific morale, our vision as progressive Americans, and overall progression of knowledge. Most of these ideas have to do with the greater good of now, and our future. Michael McBrien cautions us against removing funds, and in fact suggests increasing funds because our world benefits in ways beyond what’s obvious. Examples of things that would be affected by the defunding of NASA are well paying jobs and defending against NEO’s (Near Earth Objects). The problem in the article is when McBrien shows his obvious bias for government programs when he says, “The cost of NASA, as is true of almost any government agency, is worth it.” McBrien has now showed the readers that, beyond the intention to persuade people about NASA funding, he is pro-government-spending in other areas as well. This resonates because it leaves many readers who more conservative, but believe in the idea of funding NASA, isolated and weary to buy into the
In this argumentative essay, I will discuss how the manned mission to Mars is being planned and its specifications. Furthermore, how the mission, if executed successfully, will be mankind’s greatest accomplishment yet. However, I will attempt to prove that this mission will inevitably fail due to the unready team and its defective circumstances.
On the Apollo 11 mission, Neil Armstrong said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” He was the first astronaut to walk on the moon and this event was a significant point in history for space exploration. Now from the success of the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts will travel to Mars during the 2030’s and I want to take part in the excursion to the Red Planet. In the past couple of years, I have been obtaining knowledge about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the exploration to Mars. Ever since I was younger, I enjoyed spending time at night stargazing with friends and family as well as watching Star Wars, Star Trek, and other science fiction movies. Over the years my fascination for outer space
The other side of the debate is that the costs of pushing the boundaries in space are too high. The significant private capital can be raised for space exploration because even if NASA is unwilling to fund a particular project, does not mean it cannot take place. The Mars mission is not first in the list of priorities when there are enough problems on earth where money could invest. Overall, these questions and debates go back to the main question that is if the government should continue to fund for NASA 's exploration into space?
The topic of Mars has long been of interest to astronomers and science fiction enthusiast alike. The premise of another planet supporting life excites people like no other. In 2004, The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, began preliminary science experiments and instrument proposals for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and a robotic space probe mission to Mars. After long testing and development stages, the mission birthed a rover, Curiosity, which was launched in November 2011 and subsequently landed August 6th 2012. As we speak Curiosity is collecting invaluable data for our understanding of mars including: habitability, climate and geology, and possibly setting up a manned mission to mars in the
The source “Why We Shouldn’t Go To Mars” by Gregg Easterbrook is about how exploration in Mars is unsafe and should not be done. However, the source “Remarks at the Dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center” by JFK contrasts stating that space exploration is very helpful to humankind instilling his passion for space exploration upon the Americans. . The “Political Cartoon” is about how way too much money is being thrust upon to NASA. Now, imagine yourself as a spouse again ready to set your loved one into space. However, you stop this event from happening. As a result of that, you and your life mate are both living on Earth together. You did not have to waste millions of dollars sending someone to space and you are happy with your mate. This result is only because you refused the offer to go to space. You are euphoric because you are on Earth with your loved
NASA thinks that they will be able to succeed with this and be able to take their work farther. This is why america should fund space exploration. NASA has already have people that been living in space for 15 years. This has taught NASA about the way that humans bodies react when they are introduced into space. This study has been working extremely well for NASA. Now they know what they can improve on especially when they make plans for their Mars mission. Since people know that NASA has already put people in space for 15 years that means that they should have faith that NASA could really could have benefits for them. That is why they should fund
Mars, one of Earth's neighboring planets, has been studied since the beginning of mankind. More recently, however, the United States of America has been considering the human colonization of Mars. A manned mission to Mars is something humans need to pursue, regardless the price. A human colonization on Mars could provide the research to create another civilization outside of Earth, could show us what might happen to Earth in the future, and could provide itself as a space station/planet-to-planet trading port to launch rockets off of. A manned mission to Mars is a controversial subject; however, it should be pursued due to the evidence from past missions, the current evidence being found, and the pros outnumbering the cons.
The articles, “Why We Shouldn’t Go To Mars,” by Gregg Easterbrook, “Remarks at the Dedication of the Aerospace Medical Health Center,” by JFK, and the NASA Political Cartoon, analyzes the pros and cons of conducting research in space. Although, many believe
Introduction: And even though all of these space missions seemingly make people think trillions of dollars get wasted on them, it is a sad fact that in reality, NASA does not get as much money, contrary to what is perceived by the american people, and what it does with that miniscule amount of funding is amazing; therefore, NASA should continue to gain funding for its many programs, such as the unrenown research of the universe benefiting both space, and earth at home, and how NASA helps bring closer the ideals and promotes the coexistence of humans across the world; And so, America needs to have the government express more funds into space program, not just for NASA, but for humanities benefits as a species.