NASA

by Margaret Haerens (Editor)

Overview

This edition discusses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. Article topics include the future of the NASA space program, issues surrounding the space shuttle program, NASA funding, and NASA's role in diplomatic and scientific affairs. Essays are arranged in a pro versus con format that debate several provocative issues relating to NASA. Sources include The Economist, Christian Science Monitor, Newt Gingrich, Robert S. Walker, and Mona Charen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737757460
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	04/21/2012
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 What Should Be the Future of the NASA Space Program?

Chapter Preface 20

1 The United States Needs a Robust Space Program Bob Deutsch 23

2 Grounding an American Dream Keith Ferine 31

3 NASA Needs a Clear Vision for Its Future Rand Simberg 46

4 Human Spaceflight Should End Michael Lind 57

5 Human Spaceflight Should Not End Russell Prechtl George Whitesides 63

6 NASA Should Shoot for a Human Landing on Mars Loren Thompson 67

7 NASA Has More Important Priorities than a Human Landing on Mars Iain Murray Rand Simberg 72

8 NASA Should Establish a Moon Base Hal G.R Colebatch 78

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 85

Chapter 2 What Issues Surround the Space Shuttle Program?

Chapter Preface 87

1 It Is the Right Time to End the Space Shuttle Program Hanna Rosin 90

2 Private Companies Could Keep Space Shuttles Flying N.V. 95

3 The Space Shuttle Program Never Performed to Expectation Pete Peterson 101

4 Houston Should Have Received a Retired Space Shuttle Ted Poe Pete Olson 108

5 There Are Good Reasons Houston Did Not Get a Retired Space Shuttle Michael Grabois 112

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 118

Chapter 3 How Should NASA Be Funded?

Chapter Preface 120

1 President Obama's NASA Budget Should Be Approved Newt Gingrich Robert S. Walker 122

2 President Obama's NASA Budget Should Not Be Approved George Landrith 126

3 The United States Must Provide Stable Funding for the Space Program Christian Science Monitor 131

4 NASA Must Make Tough Funding Choices Charles F. Bolden Jr. 136

5 NASA Should Facilitate Further Privatization of the Space Program The Economist 149

6 It May Not Be Feasible to Privatize More of the Space Program Carolyn Gramling 155

7 NASA's Education Programs Should Be Better Funded Jay Rockefeller 163

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 167

Chapter 4 What Role Should NASA Play in Diplomatic and Scientific Affairs?

Chapter Preface 169

1 NASA Should Recognize Its Diplomatic Role Christopher Beam 171

2 NASA Should Not Be Engaged in Muslim Outreach Mona Charen 176

3 NASA Is Not Tasked with Muslim Outreach Evan McMorris-Santoro 180

4 NASA Should Be Monitoring Global Climate Change with the Deep Space Climate Observatory Bill Donahue 185

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 197

For Further Discussion 198

Organizations to Contact 200

Bibliography of Books 206

Index 209

Editorial Reviews

Review: NASA "As always in the Opposing Viewpoints series, there are voices from many sides of the debate."—Booklist, April 2002

From the Publisher