Harrill 1

Nate Harrill

Mrs. Palcko

English 112

24 May 2017

NASA is a large government organization that has been in existence since 1958 and has been

instrumental in researching aerodynamics and exploring outer space. NASA, which stands for

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the largest research organization funded by

the Federal Government. The knowledge learned by the organization today may lead to later

larger achievements such as landing or even colonizing Mars. NASA is the organization that has

led to many technological achievements, one day bring men to the red planet of Mars, and

inspire engineers to reach for the stars.

NASA has been a pinnacle for scientific advancement with historical achievements that

have bettered mankind for generations. First, they have created satellite technology for America

and has helped deliver delicate technology into an orbit around earth. NASA has also created

freeze drying technology that helps people that are stuck at home stock up a lot more food with

less space. When food is freeze dried, it only has around 20% of the weight while retaining 98%

of the nutrients. (citation) Finally, the technology that was funded by NASA will be benefiting

humankind for generations to come. Some examples are solar panels, artificial limbs, and

anti-icing systems that keep aircrafts in the air through ice storms and freezing temperatures

more reliably. These innovations will continue to grow so we should keep funding NASA. The
 Harrill 2

newest project NASA is working on involves the giant floating rock right next to our planet that

isnt the Moon

The largest, most ambitious goal in NASAs future is reaching Mars. The planet Mars

could hold a lot of mysteries that may not be available on Earth. It also may tell us what

happened to Mars exactly and whether or not it was always a desert. Information is not the only

thing we can learn from Mars. We could also colonize Mars to be a secondary home besides

Earth. The first trip to Mars will most likely be just to show that we have advanced far enough

to reach it (Shook) commented NASA employee Tony Shook. Mr. Shook also informed me

about how Donald Trumps budget approval would help NASA reach this goal. Reaching for

Mars will help workers such as Mr. Shook, the person I interviewed, stay in a job and help other

technical and manufacturing companies stay in business.

Creating and building space crafts is not cheap or easy. Sometimes NASA will employ

construction companies to help build the ships. The money that is spent on the construction of

NASA property can be accounted to be 5 billion dollars (citation) for the U.S. Manufacturing

industry and that number was taken in 2012. The number probably has increased above 5 Billion.

The materials and labor NASA needs has created jobs for thousands of hard-working Americans.

Some of the material and labor wont just be utilized for space travel, but also at new and

advanced technology that could have world changing effects that are still unforeseen. So not only

does NASA provide jobs for the working class, they are also creating tech that will change the

future. All of this reinforces the fact that NASA should still be funded by the US government.
 Harrill 3

American jobs, new life changing technology, and the colonization of Mars will be the

product of continued funding of NASA. NASA getting a budget increase from Trump will help

keep the train of progress running, but it will only run so far. These things should always be

considered when discussing NASAs budget. People's lives would be negatively impacted,

technological advancements would be hindered, and we would not have a backup plan if the

world went up in smoke. So in the end NASA should always be a priority in government

spending.

Citations
Lockney, Dan. "NASA Technologies Benefit Our Lives." NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 May 2017.

<https://spinoff.NASA.gov/Spinoff2008/tech_benefits.html>.

Shook, Tony, Personal Interview, 10 may 2017

The Tauri Group. "NASA Socio-Economic Impacts." NASA Socio-Economic Impacts (2013):

1-26.NASA.gov Web. 24 May 2017.

<https://www.NASA.gov/sites/default/files/files/SEINSI.pdf>.