Astronauts Mark Kelly and Col. Terry Virts, even in 2015 in an appearance at the National Press Club, said that the reason the US did not continue manned space missions to Mars was because of a "lack of political will".
The United States government spent $6.13 trillion in 2023, of which $25.4 billion - just 0.4% - was provided to NASA. NASA's budget has stayed at less than 1% of the federal budget for more than 30 years after peaking at 4% under President Nixon when we took our first step on the moon.
We have spent countless trillions of dollars on failed wars with wasted results, but nowhere near what we need to accomplish manned science in other parts of our universe. Space exploration could have amazing givebacks in resources and knowledge. If nuclear fission inspires everybody as much as it does, who knows what's out in space? What's the energy that fuels the universe?
China landed a rover on Mars in May 2021, built and launched a space station with a shuttle, and became the only country to land on the far side of the moon. They intend to be the second country to land astronauts on the moon and the first country to ever build a research base on the moon's south pole by 2040. NASA administrator Bill Nelson, former astronaut and Florida's U.S. senator for 18 years, has referred to China as "a very aggressive competitor".
On February 14, Russian advances in developing a new space-based nuclear weapon were disclosed by current and former officials who were briefed on the matter. This weapon could threaten America's satellite network, and pose risks to civilian communications, space surveillance, and military operations.
Congress now has every reason to find the political resolve it needs to allocate funding for these crucial projects. Investing in our interstellar capabilities has become crucial for preserving the United States' national security in space.
To beat China and Russia in the new Space Race, we need political will to get back to where we were 50 years ago.
Joe Biden must recreate the U.S. vision, as John Kennedy said back in 1962, "not because it is easy, but because it is hard". America needs a resurgence of our collective aspirations for the moon, Mars, and beyond - or else other countries will beat us to it.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
