Does NASA really spend that much money?

Question

when they're litterally adhering equipment with twist-ties. And trying to repair stuff like the Fonz with basicaly a blank check from the taxpayers?

Answer 1

No blank checks for NASA.  NASA's budget is roughly 0.7% of the total budget.  NASA's budget during the Apollo program was roughly 3.0% of the total budget.  Currently, DOD's (the Defense Department's) budget is in the range of 20%-25% of the total budget.

If NASA was abolished and it's budget returned to the American public, then everyone in the US would get ~$50.  NASA is not this large "cash cow" of the US government that the public has the impression it is.  In contrast, the total revenue for Starbuck's during this most recent quarter is $2.5 billion or $10 billion per year.  We spend 2/3 of NASA's budget each year just buying latte's at Starbucks.

"Fix the planet first" -- first of all, a lot of NASA's science budget goes for Earth sensing missions to help scientist better understand what's happening here on Earth.  But, NASA's paltry budget isn't big enough to even make a dent in infrastructure upgrades, pollution clean ups, or to push alternative fuels development.

Answer 2

No - it's just that NASA isn't the funnel for money into the pockets of Bush's rich friends.  So NASA doesn't get any money.

The Big Funnel for filling rich folks pockets with cash is Bush's stupid, useless and illegal wars.  1000 times more dough is squandered on the wars than it is on going into space.  It just makes sense to the Right Wing.  Feed the Rich First!

Do Not Vote for Republicans Anymore!

Answer 3

Hello,,NASA is the biggest joke since "beam me up Scotty",,they think Hollywood is in their backyard,and the political dumb faqks give them money to fulfill boyhood dreams of space travel. Fix this planet you stupid jerks,,with all the money you've wasted you could have made America beautiful,but hellk no you just keep doing stupid things like coke whores.

Answer 4

The biggest hobby in the world ever

Answer 5

social security and welfare get more money than NASA

Answer 6

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if we use twist ties.  Very handy little things...  We use duct tape too.  And zip ties.   So?

NASA does *not* get a "blank check" from anybody.  The budget has been frozen for the last year.  It's a diminishingly small fraction of the total budget.  If you want to see something outrageous, take a look at what it costs to service the national debt and to keep the military going.

Answer 7

Ever see NASA at work? I have. I've been to JPL and Dryden. Its money well spent.