Astronauts and Obama Have Different Worlds in Mind
The crew of Apollo 11, the NASA mission that 40 years ago Monday first put a man on the moon, marked the occasion with President Obama at the White House. The president hailed their accomplishments as a boon to the home planet. But astronauts of the Apollo series aren't satisfied with such earthbound praise -- they want a national commitment to send Americans to Mars.
The crew of Apollo 11, the NASA mission that 40 years ago Monday first put a man on the moon, marked the occasion with President Obama at the White House. The president hailed their accomplishments as a boon to the home planet. But astronauts of the Apollo series aren’t satisfied with such earthbound praise — they want a national commitment to send Americans to Mars.
Presidents are often asked to justify space exploration. Besides the sense of national pride and the technological advancements that have trickled down from the space program, Obama cites NASA’s impact on education: “math and science are cool again.”
AS CHAOS UNFOLDS, FIND SOLID GROUND…AP via Google:
The U.S. space program is full of goals attached to dates. John F. Kennedy wanted to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Five years ago, Bush said he wanted to land astronauts back on the moon by 2020. So with Armstrong standing next to him and nodding, Obama said those magic words: “Keep the goal by 2020.”
But he wasn’t finished. “Keep the goal by 2020 of having the highest college graduation rates of any country on Earth, especially in the math and science fields.”
It was not about going somewhere old or new. It wasn’t about NASA. It was about education.
In this time of unprecedented challenges, independent journalism is more vital than ever. At Truthdig, we expose what power wants hidden and give you the clarity to make sense of it all.
Your donation helps ensure that truth telling continues.
Editorial Cartoons
TD Column
In a healthy party, losers get jettisoned and new leaders are given the reins.
Editorial Cartoons
Health & Wellness
The betrayal of trust by the institutions meant to protect Flint’s residents has made them cautious as they look to the future.
TD Original
Reflecting on the systems that maintain racism and separatism in America.
Wounds of War
According to Pentagon policy on “responding to civilian harm”, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin owes Somalian drone victims an overdue apology.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.