cost of space exploration

The cost of space exploration

Failure to act now will necessitate cuts later

Photo retrieved from USdebtclock.org. Assessed February 28, 2023

About Red to Green Fiscal Accounting

Red to Green Fiscal Accounting has been in business for 89 years. We specialize in fiscal restraint by analyzing trends in spending and create new approaches to incorporate technology into civilian and government sectors to reduce budget spending costs.

FY 2024 Smart $$ Proposal

Prepared for NASA headquarters space and science budget office

This proposal is about reducing space exploration missions to:

$31,576,029,321,897

1. Devote critical need to containing spiraling national debt

$25.4 billion FY 2023 NASA budget

10 Major health risks from long-term space exploration

2. Protect the long-term health of NASA astronauts

Problem Statement: Since the inception of the International Space Station, astronauts have endured long periods of inhabiting outer space. These long periods in space have created several medical conditions such as bone and muscle mass, astronauts being prone to developing kidney stones, blood vessels that lose flexibility, increase in brain pressure,viruses that were once dormant are now active, and changes to their immune system. Another issue with extended missions in space is the cost that it takesto see these missions completed and how it is impacting the national debt.

Our Proposal: significantly reduce long duration missions in space by 50% for 10 years to :

1. Reduce the national debt that is reaching record spending every year.

The current national debt reaches new spending levels every year in the Biden administration. The current trend of uncontrolled spending can't continue without severe repercussions. With NASA taking the lead on fiscal conservation, the future for long-term space missions will still be possible.

2. Preserve the investments made in NASA astronauts

The cost of training each NASA astronaut is $15 million

By adhering to these two goals, the future of space exploration will still be possible.

Recent nasa fy budgets

Image retrieved from popularresistance.org. Assessed February 28,2023

FY 20 22.6 billion

FY 21 23.3 billion

FY 22 24 billion

FY 23 25.4 billion

Current national debt is over $31 TRILLION

Effects of long-term space exploration

Image retrieved from researchgate.net. Assessed February 28, 2023

Study of the health of twin astronauts

One endured a year long mission in space and the other twin astronaut stayed on Earth.

Observations made from study:1. Change in DNA from astronaut that endured long mission in space. 2. Radiation exposer which affects long-term health.

Solution and benefits:

With each fiscal year budget increasing, eventually cuts in spending will have to be made. Instead on waiting for the government to decide when to make these cuts, being proactive now will save the program from drastic cuts in the future.

The investments made in training astronauts can't be wasted. The impact that long-term space exploration has on the health of astronauts is enormous. A study was done comparing the health of twin astronauts. One endured a year long mission in space as the other remained on earth. Link to this story is provided: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/study-of-astronaut-twins-hints-at-spaceflight-health-effects

Decreasing long-term space exploration will provide a better life to astronauts and also extend the life expectancy of astronaut mission capability.

project details:

A manned Mars mission would estimate to cost $100 billion over a 30 year span. The International Space Station was estimated to cost $10 billion over ten years but costs exceeded 10 times that amount. Government programs are likely to over run expected costs.

A great way to save money and preserve the health of astronauts is with artificial intelligence for space exploration. Artificial intelligence is used to : 1. Design space travel vehicles 2. Assist in space science and discovery 3. Control autonomous robots in space. Future research on this technology can be found in the reference section of this proposal.

Cost of NASA panetaryexploration

Table retreived from The Planetary Society. assessed february 28, 2023

Call for Action:

Reducing long-term space exploration missions for ten years will have a lasting effect on NASA and US government operations and capabilities for the future. By leading the way, the future for OUR country and for NASA will be very promising. Submitting lower annual budget requests for only ten years will create endless opportunities for future space exploration and discoveries.

Summary

Photo retreived from NASA. assessed February 28,2023.

Reduce 50% of long-term missions

For 10 years

To decrease national defecit

Protect health of astronauts

Photo retreived from siliconrepublic.assessed February 28,2023

Preserve NASA and it's future missions.

References

Heather. (2020, July 5). 10 astronaut health risks that threaten deep space missions. Listverse. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://listverse.com/2014/12/29/10-astronaut-health-risks-that-threaten-deep-space-missions/#:~:text=10%20Astronaut%20Health%20Risks%20That%20Threaten%20Deep%20Space,...%208%203%20Radiation%20Hazards%20...%20More%20items

NASA's FY 2020 budget. (n.d.). The Planetary Society. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.planetary.org/space-policy/nasas-fy--2020-budget

NASA's FY 2021 budget. (n.d.) The Planetary Society. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https:'''www.planetary.org/space-policy.nasas-fy-2021-budget

NASA's FY 2022 budget. (n.d.). The Planetary Society. Retreived February 24.2023, from https://www.planetary.org/space-policy.nasas-fy-2022-budget

NASA's FY 2023 budget. (n.d.). The Planetary Society. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.planetary.org/space-policy.nasas-fy-2023-budget

The planetary exploration budget dataset. (n.d.). The Planetary Society. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://www.planetary.org/space-policy/planetary-exploration-budget-dataset

Zuckerman, C. (2021, May 3). One-of-a-kind study of astronaut twins hints at spaceflight's health effects. National Geographic. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from https://nationalgeographic.com/science/article/study-of-astronaut-twins-hints-at-spaceflight-health-effects