The landing of the moon as a milestone – the politics

Washington. When asked about the outstanding achievements of the US space agency Nasa
Astrophysicist John O 'Meara does not need to think long. "You can not ignore
that NASA brought people to the moon. The Moon lands on July 21, 1969
was "a triumph for NASA and the spirit of humanity", a "key moment",
says the scientist at St. Michael's College in the state of Vermont, the
has often worked with the space agency. "The world has come for a
a short time together and was happy together – we would need a lot more. "

The moon landing was successful early in the history of NASA. July 29, 1958 – coming soon
Sixty years ago, Sunday, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower
the "National Law on Aeronautics and Space" and founded NASA, the few
Weeks after their operation began. Meanwhile, the space agency has its headquarters
in Washington and the budget of billions more than 17,000 employees in places everywhere
in the USA.

In addition to the moon landing, NASA has up to here with many probes the planetary system
including our land extensively explored, with space telescopes deep in the distance
looked behind our solar system and with other countries, the International
ISS space station built, a permanent outpost of humanity in space.

No long-term funding

NASA informs people around the world about the universe, whether with museums
and in school classes or with an award-winning online strategy. the
Live broadcast of the final of the spaceship "Cassini", which took place last September
controlled on Saturn's crashed, was just for the price of the main US television
Emmy nominated. For the sixtieth anniversary of NASA, according to the authority
Events and celebrations planned.

"NASA is still a great authority with good employees
have great abilities but she lost momentum and hers
Concentrate on the possibility of making the impossible possible, "says scientist O. Meara. " In
in many ways, it's not NASA's fault itself, that's because
that his budget must be redefined each year by the Congress. "

This is obviously not fundamentally wrong, but often leads to new politicians
have to decide and no one wants to commit to long term. "That we do not have one
This is because of the fact that sending people to Mars is very expensive and very
take a lot of time. Nobody in politics really wants to support him because he's
very unlikely to happen in your own term – and you
then boast of merit. "

The inauguration of US President Donald Trump is not much for NASA
changed, says O. Meara. Except for Trump's predecessor under Barack Obama heavily funded
Research on Earth and climate, you need to worry. "Otherwise, I have
The feeling that Trump does not really care about NASA. "The authorities still need
fight for their budget. The one used by Trump and by many Democrats as inexperienced
Jim Bridenstine, the boss of NASA, criticized for the moment, has not yet been "disastrous"
O'meara said. "At first I was very skeptical of Bridenstine, but
In the short time he was in power, he was very successful. "

Depends on Soyuz Capsules

The moon landing, the big "key moment" of NASA, is now nearly 50 years old
– and he urgently needs new moments, asks O & # 39; Meara. To create that
NASA must master enormous challenges. First of all, urgent need
Astronauts with US spacecraft are brought into space to the current dependency
end Russian Soyuz capsules. That's what NASA has announced, has happened
is still nothing.

And the space agency needs an inspiring vision again
O & # 39; Meara. For example: people on Mars – or on the moon of Jupiter in Europe.
"We can do it, if NASA continues in a very tiring way
wants too. "The solution to one of the most exciting riddles of humanity is for NASA
at hand – to find out if there is still life in the universe next to us.

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