Fund Allocation and Management: Arguing the Case Of NASA - Essay Example

Fund Allocation and Management: Arguing the Case Of NASA Introduction Government funds are derived directly from the taxpayer’s income. Therefore, it should be utilized in such a way that the taxpayer is benefited. Infrastructure projects, subsidized education and efficient but affordable health care systems are just a few examples of how the government can serve the taxpayers for their hard earned money. But what if the money is allocated for ventures such as space exploration? Does it benefit the taxpayers? Is it more important than allocating the funds for improved health and social care services? This is the dilemma behind NASA’s funding. Billions of dollars are being allocated for the agency for the advancement of space flight. Is this justifiable in terms of financial management vis-à-vis national interests or is it a costly yet indispensable venture? This paper will argue for the case of NASA’s funding as necessary. NASA NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is an agency of the United States Government responsible for the country’s efforts in the field of space flight and discovery. It was established on July 29, 1958 by the Nautical Aeronatics and Space Act with funding amounting now at $2.4 trillion dollars. Besides from the space program, it is also responsible for long-term civilian and military aerospace research (wikipedia, NASA section). Analysis and Discussion As was stated in the introduction, this paper is to present and analyse the rationale on why NASA’s funding should not be curtailed. The following are the core reasons on why this should be the case. 1. NASA has provided useful technological innovations whose benefits can be enjoyed by the general public. The agency, through its comprehensive research and development program, was able to come up with devices and materials that can greatly improved the lives of the public. Some of them are : a. AIR QUALITY MONITOR - Utilizing a NASA-developed, advanced analytical technique software package, an air quality monitor system was created, capable of separating the various gases in bulk smokestack exhaust streams and determining the amount of individual gases present within the stream for compliance with smokestack emission standards.(Smith, 201) b. WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM - NASA-developed municipal-size water treatment system for developing nations. Called the Regenerable Biocide Delivery Unit, it uses iodine rather than chlorine to kill bacteria. (Smith, 202) c. BREAST CANCER DETECTOR - A solar cell sensor is positioned directly beneath x-ray film, and determines exactly when film has received sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density. Associated electronic equipment then sends a signal to cut off the x-ray source. Reduction of mammography x-ray exposure reduces radiation hazard and doubles the number of patient exams per machine.(Conway, 351) d. AUTOMATED URINALYSIS - NASA fluid dynamics studies helped development of system that automatically extracts and transfers sediment from urine sample to an analyzer microscope, replacing the manual centrifuge method ( thespaceplace.com, NASA spinoffs.html) e. FIREMANS AIR TANKS - NASA has developed Lighter-weight firefighters air tanks. The new back-pack system weighs only 20 lbs. for 30 minute air supply – which is 13 lbs. less than conventional firefighting tanks. They are pressurized at 4,500 psia (twice current tanks). A warning device also tells the fireman when he or she is running out of air ( thespaceplace.com, NASA spinoffs.html). From this list of devices, it is apparent that NASA has an invaluable contribution to the welfare of the general public. 2. NASA is an important and integral part of the current National Defense Strategy It must be remembered that NASA’s birth was a product of the Cold War era (Gorn 3). This was the period where the United States were vying for allegiances of other nations. To win that alliance, the two nations set out on a race that showed the world who is more technologically advanced. This showcase of technological might was necessary in convincing nations to ally themselves accordingly. Not only does the technological race displayed which nation is stronger in terms of military capability, it also showed the degree of scientific and maturity. Due to NASA’s successful landings on the moon by it’s Apollo project, much of the world were awed and inspired by the capacity and potential of the United States. This was one of reasons why the Soviet Union disintegrated. Proponents of the misallocation of funds have argued time and again that we are not living in the Cold War era anymore. NASA’s missions and continued existence are matters of pride-which is very cost inefficient. No nation presents the immediate danger to U.S. national integrity as what the Soviet Union presented. The truth, however, is that the threat is still there although in the form of other countries such as China and Iran (Moreno, 246-257). China has been developing its immense army by supplementing it with state-of-the-art technology such as Taepodong missiles, improved intercontinental ballistic missiles and radar systems. This can be seen as a move to strengthen its position as a global superpower. It is, thereby, boosting North Korea’s confidence in China’s defense of it. It enables this country to pursue its nuclear capability aims since their fear of intervention from the United States is allayed. Iran has recently declared success in its uranium enrichment program signaling its entry to the nuclear-war capable countries. The country is known to be a haven for terrorists/freedom fighters. It would also be prudent to include nuclear-capable countries such as Germany and France. The field of international relations is one big reason why NASA should be funded adequately. The reason behind this is that international relations can be sometimes unpredictable and one may never know the agenda of a foreign country. The implications of a handicapped NASA are apparent. NASA’s contribution to the advancement of military technology should be never compromised. How can you address social issues such as the absence of a National Health Plan when your country is constantly threatened of deadly attacks? Rome fell because its army became complacent to the expansion and improvements of barbarian armies. The need to be technologically ahead is in fact more pressing in the contemporary setting. Another argument is that the current trend of conflict is not fought in terms of nuclear wars but in stealth bombings and terrorist attacks. That is, there is no need for huge funds for development of high tech weaponry that is practically useless in preventing such small-scale attacks. Again, one should never undermine the fact that satellite visual imagery and improved vests can greatly improved monitoring of terrorist activities and movements. 3. NASA generates jobs and laboratories for scientific research and development enthusiasts. Besides from this, jobs are also generated within the industries linked to the non-space application of NASA technology.(NASA, Careers.html) 4. NASA’s funding of its space program is actually a very small fraction of its entire budget. Out of a $2.4 trillion budget, less than 0.8% is spent on the entire space program. Anti-Nasa entities are therefore misinformed as they argue that a huge amount of money is wasted in futile attempts to reach other planets. Majority of it is allocated to research and development of technologies that can improve the lives and conditions of the public. Some outputs of the NASA were already specified in the first argument. Conclusion By the foregoing flow of arguments, it can be seen that there is truly a need for a continued funding of NASA. Contrary to what others say, NASA is not wasting money in its efforts in the field of space flight. It is actually contributing invaluably to the welfare of the public and the security of the nation as a whole. References: 1. Wikipedia.com (modified October 15, 2006). NASA Information. Retrieved October 13, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasa. 2. Thespaceplace.com (1997) . NASA Spin-offs : Bringing Space down to Earth. Retrieved October 13, 2006 from http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html 3. Gorn, Micheal.NASA: The Complete Illustrated History. New York: Penguin Books, 2005 4 Conway, Erik. NASA and the Technopolitics of Supersonic Transpor tation. Maryland: John Hopkins University Press, 2005 5 Smith, Walter. The Space Telescope: A study of NASA, Science, Technology and Politics. New York: McGrawhill Publications, 2004. 6. NASA (2006). Careers and Opportunities. Retrieved October 13, 2006 from http://www.nasa.gov/about/career/index.html 7. Moreno, Jonathan. Mind Wars: Brain Research and National Defense. New York: McGraw Hill Publications, 2005 Read More