| The Obama administration is planning to propose a new budget for several billion dollars in order to urge private companies to design, launch, and operate spacecrafts for NASA as well as others. The United States space agency intends to purchase astronauts a journey into space that is as simple as taking a taxi.
They believe that getting astronauts into orbit, which has been done for the past 49 years, is so “old” that anyone can do it. Operating the launches privately enables the agency to do other things, such as explore beyond the orbit of the Earth, as well as to do more research with stronger satellites. They believe this would spark a new generation of private companies.
There is some concern, however, from NASA workers regarding safety as well as from congressional leaders who are worried about the loss of jobs. Some fear the loss government might face of important knowledge and control.
Obama will be adding approximately 5.9 billion dollars to the NASA budget over the next five years.
by Kate Barber
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