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NASA
NASA is the National Aeronautical Space Administration, which oversees all the space travel in the United States. Its most famous project is the Apollo moon missions.
2,535 Questions
How much money is spent on space exploration each year?
The FY2010 NASA budget is $18.7 billion. How much of that is devoted to "space exploration" is a matter of debate (approximately $5-$7 billion), since NASA's funding is divided into aeronautics, operations, science and cross-agency support.
(see the related NASA link)
Other agencies also spend money on space, notably the National Reconnaissance Office, Department of Defense, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, and the US Geologic Survey, but that money comes out of their own budgets.
The total worldwide cost is roughly equal to $35 billion dollars, which includes advanced programs in Europe, Russia, China, India, and Japan. This does not include satellites (many commercial) that provide services from orbit.
NASA's budget for Fiscal Year 2010 equates to a little over one-half of one percent (0.53%) of the total U.S. federal budget of $3.1 Trillion. In comparison, at the height of the Apollo moon landing program in the mid-1960s, nearly four percent (4%) of the total U.S. federal budget went into that endeavor. Even if NASA's budget were to be doubled overnight to $37 billion dollars, it would only amount to 1.2% of today's federal budget.
$18.7 billion for NASA works out to about $60 dollars a year which breaks down to $5.00 a month, or $1.25 a week, or $0.18 cents a day out of the $4,000 to $8,000 in taxes the average American pays every April 15th. That's less than what someone would spend for a Cheeseburger or a Double Mocha Latte at your neighborhood coffee shop.
For those who question the size of NASA's operating budget, in 2009 the US budget is split as follows:
National Debt Payment: $10.2 trillion (580 times larger than NASA's budget)
Department of Defense: $515.4 billion (29.3 times larger than NASA's budget)
Global War on Terrorism: $189.3 billion (10.8 times larger than NASA's budget)
Health & Human Services: $68.5 billion (3.9 times larger than NASA's budget)
Department of Transportation: $63.4 billion (3.6 times larger than NASA's budget)
Department of Education: $59.2 billion (3.4 times larger than NASA's budget)
Department of Housing & Urban Development: $38.5 billion (2.2 times larger than NASA's budget)
Department of Energy: $25.0 billion (1.4 times larger than NASA's budget)
If the above numbers are unsettling, consider the following: in 2009, the U.S. Congress passed a "stimulus" package of $787 billion for the Banking, Mortgage and Automobile industries for one year. That same amount of money could operate NASA for the next 42 years.
According to a November 2003 report by Barna Research Group and the Baptist Press, Americans are spending -- in ONE year -- an average of:
$586.5 billion on gambling;
$80 billion on illegal drugs;
$58 billion on alcohol consumption;
$31 billion on tobacco products, and;
$250 billion on the medical treatment for the above related issues
Additionally, during 2003, Americans also collectively spent:
$224 billion to eat out;
$191 billion on personal water craft;
$67 billion on frozen dinners;
$25 billion on gardening;
$22.1 billion on hunting;
$21.3 billion on extravagant pet products, and;
$15 billion on junk food snacks
All things relative -- even in the financial meltdown and economic retrenching of 2008-2009 -- the cost for space exploration in the United States is neither a significant tap on social programs, nor a drain on the overall $3.1 Trillion Federal Budget or $14 Trillion U.S. economy.
Nevertheless, trying to estimate the economic value of the space program to the U.S. is surprisingly easy. A 1971 NASA study by the Midwest Research Institute concluded:
"The 25 billion in 1958 dollars spent on civilian space R & D during the 1958-1969 period has returned $52 billion through 1971 and will continue to produce pay-off through 1987, at which time the total pay off will have been $181 billion. The discounted rate of return for this investment will have been 33 percent."
This statement is plausible since those were the years when NASA's spending on the Apollo program was at its height, but NASA also invested in other programs and they are included in the mix, so the conclusion is not as definitive as one would like.
Also, a 33 percent return on investment is not really big enough to make the normal venture capitalist go wild -- but for a government program, however, a 33% ROI is quite respectable.
A short article in the prestigious British science journal, "Nature" (January 9, 1992, pgs. 105-106), reported:
"The economic benefits of NASA's programs are greater than generally realized. The main beneficiaries (the American public) may not even realize the source of their good fortune..."
Some other statistics:
Confirmation that "Space pays" may also be found in the 1989 Chapman Research report, which examined just 259 non-space applications of NASA technology during an eight year period from 1976-1984 and found more than:
- $21.6 billion in sales and benefits;
- 352,000 (mostly skilled) jobs created or saved;
- $355 million in federal corporate income taxes
Other benefits, not quantified in the study, include state corporate income taxes, individual personal income taxes (federal and state) paid by those 352,000 workers, and incalculable benefits resulting from lives saved and improved quality of life.
These 259 applications represent only 1% of an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 space program spinoffs. These benefits were in addition to benefits in the space industry itself and in addition to the ordinary multiplier effects of any government spending.
In 2002, the aerospace industry contributed more than $95 billion to U.S. economic activity, which included $23.5 billion in employee earnings, and employed 576,000 people -- a 16% increase in jobs from three years earlier (source: FAA, March 2004).
Our nation can afford whatever it values enough to pay for. All rose-colored glasses wishing aside, social welfare and other desirable programs have to win congressional support on their own merits; they will not necessarily be given NASA's $18.7 billion budget for FY2010 if the agency was completely terminated tomorrow.
For one final comparison, one can look to a report on NBC Nightly News (Saturday, Nov. 24, 2006). Americans collectively spent $8.9 billion in ONE day during the post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping event known as "Black Friday".
That's half of what NASA's budget is . . . for an entire year.
$457.4 billion in retail sales were rung up by shoppers during the 2006 holiday season, buying 42-inch plasma/LCD HDTVs, Sony PS3s, Nitendo Wii's and other extraneous items -- supposedly all in the name of "Brotherhood and Peace on Earth." Another $25 billion in gift cards were also sold in that holiday season alone.
Despite an economy struggling to emerge from a recession, according to a recent report in the Baltimore Sun newspaper, Americans are still projected to spend about $6.9 billion for Halloween in 2009. Nevertheless, critics will still insist on saying "we should stop spending on space exploration" because "it's a total waste of finances or resources," or "we can't afford it," or that we're "wasting our money."
The real value of space exploration to our nation's economy will be a subject of debate among experts for many years to come. Like the Apollo program, its impact will be hard to measure, but will be evident in the new industries that will spring up around it.
The politics of a technological project with a clear goal and self-evident success or failure are much simpler to deal with than any plan to conquer poverty, rebuild the cities, or clean up the environment.
Supporters of space exploration have long known intuitively that the investments America has made in space technology have helped maintain the country as the world's number one technological superpower.
The infinitely complex nature of economic decision-making in a free market system may mean that no one will ever be able to show a direct cause and effect relationship -- but that does not mean that it is not there.
When was the space shuttle invented?
The space shuttle program was initiated on January 5, 1972 with President Nixon's announcement that NASA would begin development on a manned reusable space shuttle system. The first complete orbiter, Enterprise, was completed on September 17, 1976. The first fully functional space shuttle, Columbia, was delivered to the Kennedy Space Center on March 25, 1979. Columbia's first launch was on April 12, 1981.
Can military service help get you into NASA?
Military service is a requirement for the Astronaut Corps if you want to be a pilot or mission commander. Most are chosen from the ranks of the Navy and Air Force, and typically have been prior test pilots. They also generally have degrees in Aeronautics or Astrophysics, or other science degrees.
For other NASA jobs, a 4yr degree is required, regardless of military service, and typically they look for those with degrees in areas relevant to space exploration and technology.
For example:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Astrophysics
- Thermal Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Planetary Sciences
- Bio-sciences
- Metallurgical Sciences
- Chemical Engineering
- Laser & Optical Technology
Many NASA employees also have prior experience working in their respective fields before joining NASA. While not a requirement, NASA is picky about employing those who have already proven themselves capable working for contractors that have contracted for NASA missions.
Where was the satellite invented?
The first satellite, Sputnik 1, was invented in the Soviet Union by a team of scientists and engineers led by Sergei Korolev. It was launched on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the space age.
Who was the teacher who died in the Challenger shuttle explosion?
Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe, but she is better known as Christa McAuliffe. She was a teacher from Concord, New Hampshire who was selected out of about 11,000 applicants to be the first teacher in space. She, along with 6 other brave souls, died 73 seconds after takeoff.
Where was the first space shuttle invented?
The first Space Shuttle, originally called Constitution, was renamed Enterprise after a write in campaign to NASA. Although never designed for orbital flight, it was the first shuttle and was used for atmospheric tests prior to the first orbital flight of Columbia.
Original designs for the shuttle began in the early 70's. Enterprise was rolled out at Rockwell Aerospace in September 1976.
How did Wernher von Braun help with the advancement of space travel?
Wernher von Braun was a key figure in the development of rocket technology and space exploration. He was instrumental in designing the V-2 rocket during World War II and later worked on the development of rockets for the US, including the Saturn V rocket that was used in the Apollo missions to the Moon. Von Braun's work laid the foundation for advancements in space travel and played a significant role in the early space race between the US and the Soviet Union.
What war rocket was developed into the Saturn V moon-launcher?
The Saturn V contains 5 rocket engines, each of which had a diameter of 33 feet (if I recall Apollo 13 correctly). So at it's widest point, the rocket would have to be over 100 feet in diameter, creating 7.5 million pounds of thrust--enough to put the spacecraft into orbit along with the next set of engines which would push it off to the moon.
If you mean rockets used in wars, then the rocket that would have been a precursor to the Saturn 5 would be the Nazi Vengence rockets, specifically the V2 and the not widely used V3 which I don't think actually got used before they were rendered useless due to the war ending. The V2 had the capability of reaching near space, well out of reach of fighter planes of the time which had the job of trying to shoot them down before they got too high.
Who was the most recent person to land on the moon?
The last two people to land on the moon were Commander Eugene A. Cernan and Harrison H. Schmitt. During the US Apollo 17 mission, they landed on 11 December 1972, and stayed for about 3 days. (see mission info at the related link)
Where can you get pictures of both the early and modern space shuttles?
There have been six shuttles, the first being the Space Shuttle Enterprise (OV-1). Although the Enterprise was never intended for use in for orbital missions, its primary use was as a test vehicle for in-atmosphere flight tests of the 747 aircraft "taxi" system that moved the shuttle from Edwards AFB or other alternate landing sites to Kennedy Space Center in those cases where the shuttle couldn't land at KSC. It was also used to test the shuttle's glide and landing capability.
The original 4 space-capable orbiters are:
- OV-099 - Challenger (originally STA-099)
- OV-102 - Columbia
- OV-103 - Discovery
- OV-104 - Atlantis
Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105) was built to replace Challenger.
The easiest way to get pictures of each shuttle is from the main NASA or Kennedy Space Center websites at the links below. Each shuttle is listed by mission, and each mission has a complete record of low and hi-resolution pictures available for download by the public.
Satellites in orbit typically don't fall directly to the ground. If a satellite is no longer functioning or in use, it may gradually descend from its orbit and re-enter Earth's atmosphere, where it will burn up upon re-entry. The exact timing of this process varies depending on the satellite's altitude and orbit.
What planet had a spacecraft land on it in 1976?
Mars had a spacecraft land on it in 1976. NASA's Viking 1 lander successfully landed on Mars on July 20, 1976, followed by its companion, Viking 2, a few weeks later. This marked the first successful landing of a spacecraft on Mars.
Would it be possible to survive a Saturn V launch from within the launch gantry?
No, it would not be possible to survive a Saturn V launch from within the launch gantry. The immense heat, sound, and vibrations generated during the launch would be fatal to anyone in such close proximity to the rocket. Safety protocols require personnel to be at a safe distance during a rocket launch.
Scientists at nasa want to analyze the mineral composition of the surface of mars?
To analyze the mineral composition of the surface of Mars, scientists at NASA can use rovers equipped with instruments like X-ray diffraction and spectrometers to identify minerals. They can also analyze data from orbiting satellites that use remote sensing techniques like visible and infrared spectroscopy to determine the mineral content of the Martian surface. By combining data from multiple sources, scientists can create comprehensive mineral maps of Mars.
Why did NASA invent the land mine removal device?
There have been dozens of land mine removal devices. Some of them used technology developed by NASA for remotely controlled vehicles, such as the Mars Explorer, or powered arms used for materials handling in space, such as the cargo arm from the space shuttle.
When did Dafydd Williams retire?
Dafydd Williams retired from the Canadian Space Agency in 2011. He served as an astronaut from 1992 to 2011.
Will hydroponics work in outer-space?
Yes, hydroponics can work in outer space. In fact, many experiments have been done on the International Space Station using hydroponic systems to grow plants in microgravity. Hydroponics is well-suited for space environments as it allows efficient use of resources like water and nutrients in a controlled setting.
When was the NASA robot sent to mars?
NASA's robot, the Perseverance rover, was launched on July 30, 2020, and landed on Mars on February 18, 2021.
Why was the spirit rover on mars so successful?
Excellent engineering. It was designed to do certain things for a certain amount of time as a minimum. It turned out to be an "Energizer Bunny", to NASA's delight. Also, the engineers have learned a great deal about the robot ships they launch in the last 30 years, making each successive one better than the last.
When was a space probe sent to Jupiter?
there were two main spacecrafts the voyager 1 and the voyager 2 that flew to Jupiter and in to deep space. It was in 1979.
Where did the Viking probes first land on Mars?
The NASA Viking 1 and 2 probes were targeted to two specific regions on Mars.
- Viking 1 landed on July 20, 1976 on the "Golden Plain" (Chryse Planitia) about 22° north of the Martian equator.
- Viking 2 landed on September 3, 1976 on the "Utopia Planitia" plain in the northern mid-latitudes, on the opposite side of Mars from Viking 1.
What equipment does NASA use on earth?
NASA uses a variety of equipment on Earth, including telescopes, satellites, research aircraft, and scientific instruments. These tools help NASA scientists study the Earth's atmosphere, climate, and geology, as well as monitor natural disasters and track the effects of human activities on the environment. NASA also collaborates with other agencies and organizations to gather data and conduct research.
NASA has a spacecraft on it's way to photograph Pluto and other things in the trans-Neptunian region right now - estimated time of arrival is early-mid 2015.
Does a spectrometer break up the suns light?
Yes, a spectrometer breaks up the sunlight into its component wavelengths through dispersion. This allows scientists to analyze the different wavelengths present in sunlight and study their properties.
How does lunar geology differ from geology?
Lunar geology focuses on the study of geological features, structures, and processes specific to the Moon. It involves examining the Moon's surface, impact craters, volcanic plains, and regolith. In contrast, general geology encompasses the study of Earth's composition, structure, and processes, such as plate tectonics, mineral formations, and rock formations.
