Scientists lament cuts in planetary exploration
That did not sit well with GOP Rep. Steven Palazzo of Mississippi, who chairs the panel’s Space Subcommittee. He questioned why the Obama administration proposed a NASA budget that cuts planetary science while boosting money for the agency’s Earth science program.
“There are 13 other agencies throughout the federal government that currently fund over $2.5 billion in climate science research, but only one agency does space exploration and space science,” Palazzo said.
Palazzo complained the “administration keeps redirecting their funds to other missions that have nothing to do with space and exploration.”
“It just doesn’t make any sense because maintaining America’s leadership in space is not just a matter of national pride, but as we’ve seen with other countries dumping money into their space program that it’s become a matter national security as well,” Palazzo said in an interview after the hearing.
Hattiesburg American
9/10/14
Magnolia Tribune
