AFFIRMATIVE
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase funding to NASA.
Contention One: Substantial funding to NASA will help with progress and innovation in the United
States.
Scientific and Technical Information Program from NASA, 2008, “NASA Exploration and Innovation Lead
to New Discoveries”, http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/Spinoff2008/pdf/timeline_08.pdf
Gives the following information:
1962-1966: The Gemini missions paved the way to the Moon and resulted in a
variety of benefits. As a result of these missions: Miniature signal conditioners ease data exchange across
health care organizations. Radiant barrier materials protect against temperature extremes. Anti-glare coatings for
cathode ray tube screens minimize brightness, enhance contrast, and improve readability. Monitors for operating rooms
analyze anesthetic gasses and measure patient oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen concentrations. Oil well and pipeline
technologies facilitate operation of the Alaskan pipeline. Controlled explosives cut emergency exits in vehicles
and demolish unsafe buildings and bridges. 1969-Present: The Space Shuttle Program alone has generated
more than 100 technology spinoffs. As a result of shuttle research: Miniaturized heart pumps save lives. Thermal
protection system materials protect racecar drivers. Bioreactors help chemists design new therapeutic drugs and
antibodies. Compact laboratory instruments allow faster blood analysis. Sensitive hand-held infrared cameras
scan for forest fires. Rocket fuel helps destroy land mines. Light-emitting diodes treat cancerous tumors. Prosthetic
limbs are lighter and stronger. An extrication tool removes accident victims from wrecked vehicles. Municipalities track and
reassign emergency and public works vehicles. Law enforcement agencies can improve the resolution of crime
scene video. 1998-Present: Using the accumulated technology and knowledge of over 30 years of
Mars exploration programs, these twin vehicles, launched in June (Spirit) and July (Opportunity) 2003, continue their
pursuit of geological clues about current and past environmental conditions on Mars. Benefits include:
A robot that can climb grades up to 60 percent and survive submersion in water up to 6.6 feet deep, and possesses flippers that
propel it over obstructions and through rocks, rubble, and debris. It is being used during combat operations to provide soldiers
with a safe first look at potentially hostile environments. A mineral identification tool now helping U.S. law enforcement
agencies and military personnel identify suspicious liquid and solid substances. Panoramic imaging and photographic
systems being used to photograph and map cities, towns, and landscapes for municipal, commercial,
and personal applications.
NASA’s explorations and discoveries have allowed for worldwide changes. Advances in the medical field
and more have come about from these programs. The United States values progress and NASA has
helped to uphold that value. The United States must substantially increase NASA’s funding if we are to
continue making such progress and becoming even more advanced.
Contention Two: Without substantial funding, the United States will lose political hegemony.
W.J. Hennigan (Aerospace writer) and Ralph Vartabedian (Aerospace & defense writer), 2011,
“Foreign Nations Spend on the Space Programs as U.S. Retreats: Foreign Nations Push”,
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0722-space-race-20110722,0,20513.story
And it's not just the Russians. Later this year, China plans to launch into orbit the first phase of its own
space station. The country has already launched six people into outer space and hopes to put a man on the moon sometime
after 2020. India is working on its second robotic trip to the moon, with plans to land a rover on the moon's
surface in two years. It wants to send a human into outer space by 2016. The European Space Agency is studying a
trip to Mars by conducting a 520-day simulated voyage to the red planet. Six volunteers from various
countries have been locked in isolation in a windowless mock spaceship, eating canned foods — except when they trudged
through red sand and spiked flags into a mockup of Mars' surface. Iran plans to send a monkey into space in the
summer, clearing the way for a man to follow. Countries such as Israel, Japan, North Korea and South
Korea are busy building their own rockets and launching them from their own facilities.
The Associated Press, 2011, “Future of Spaceflight? NASA Is Outsourcing the Job”,
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=138559674
Getting people to orbit on a new American ship is a different story. Some ambitious companies hope
to launch astronauts that way in three years, maybe four. Until then, the Russians will fly astronauts
on a pay-for-play basis. Some space veterans like John Glenn, the first American in orbit, think five to 10 years is more
realistic. For these companies, it's also about capturing the cash. NASA will soon be paying the Russians about $63
million for each U.S. astronaut who flies on that country's Soyuz rocket to the space station.
As the United States is forced to back up, we start to lose our soft power. The top super power should
be able to hold its own in something as innovative and progressive as space exploration. If we do not
substantially fund NASA, we are allowing other countries to move up with their space programs.
Outsourcing our jobs to other countries gives them a leg up, economic wise. If other countries are going
to be launching our own astronauts and get jobs from us, our soft power will start to diminish along with
our economy. And that leads me to my third point:
Contention Three: NASA contributes to the economy of the United States.
Former U.S. representative for Florida’s 24th US Congressional District, Suzanne Kosmas to the Orlando
Sentinel, 2009, “Funding NASA Will Boost Economy”, http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-0123/news/myword23kosmas_1_spaceflight-space-operations-economic-recovery
That is why I sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House leadership urging an additional $2 billion in
the economic stimulus for NASA's exploration systems and space operations. We would be remiss to leave out
funding for human space exploration from this recovery package. If the goal of this legislation is to stimulate
our economy, support science, and maintain and create highly skilled jobs, there is no better place to
dedicate resources than to our human spaceflight program. Small businesses in nearly every state
supply NASA programs, employing more than half a million Americans and contributing nearly $100
billion to our economy in 2004 alone. The reach of the space economy is broad, and its contributions
are vital to enhancing our nation's economy and technological leadership.
NASA does have a positive impact on the United States’ economy. The fact that the revenues of the
space economy is widespread, reveals that more than just the space exploration section is benefited.
We want to stimulate the economy as much as we can and giving NASA a substantial increase in funding
will do this for us.
Staff Writers from the California Space Authority, 2010, “NASA Ames Stimulates Economy with Jobs
and Innovation”, http://www.californiaspaceauthority.org/html/government_pages/pr100514-1_NASAAmes.html
NASA's Ames Research Center generated 5,300 jobs and $877 million in total annual economic activity
in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area in 2009, according to a new economic benefits study. The
study found that nationally, NASA Ames supports more than 8,400 jobs and generates $1.3 billion in
annual economic activity. Coordinated by the NASA Research Park Office and prepared by Emeryville-based Bay Area
Economics (BAE) in association with Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Management's San Francisco office,
the study also reported that NASA Ames produced 5,900 jobs and contributed $932 million to California's economy in 2009.
New construction at NRP is expected to total approximately $2.8 billion, generating an average of
1,700 construction jobs annually over the next 15 years in the Bay Area, 1,900 in California, and more
than 2,800 nationally. "With the unemployment rate in the Bay Area for construction workers at 30 per cent, the
development of the NASA Research Park may create thousands of jobs that will help put people to work and stimulate the local
economy. It is these types of projects that create a triple bottom line: higher education, economic
development and good jobs," said Neil Struthers, chief executive officer of the Santa Clara and San
Benito Building and Construction Trades Council. Upon full occupancy, NRP partners may further stimulate the
local, state, and national economy with new jobs and economic activity. Bay Area Economics estimated that NRP would trigger
$4 billion in new annual economic activity resulting in an additional 21,400 jobs in the Bay Area region. The study also
predicted that nationally, NRP will contribute $5.8 billion in new annual economic activity and 33,800
new permanent jobs.
NASA stimulates the economy nationwide. NASA programs provide the citizens with thousands of jobs
and billions of dollars. By losing funds to NASA, they cannot initiate these programs. Thus, the economy
loses out on a valuable part. So we must substantially increase the funding to NASA if we are to help the
economy improve.
For these reasons, my partner and I stand in affirmation of the resolution.