Keeping America first in space
Increase NASA funding to return to the moon
RUDY GIULIANI
GUEST COLUMNIST
America's space program is at a crossroads. We can either remain the world's undisputed leader, or we can fall behind.
We are facing a five-year gap between the end of the space shuttle program and the beginning of the Constellation program, the next generation of human spaceflight. This almost guarantees a costly talent-drain, as engineers and scientists leave the industry, and it means for five years we will have to rely on the Russians to transport us to space.
That's unacceptable.
Some people will say we can't do it. But I'm tired of hearing about what America can't do.
Allegedly we can't control the border, can't rely on market-based healthcare, can't allow school choice, can't control government spending, and can't cut taxes. Now people say we can't continue to lead in space exploration. To all these things, I say we can -- and we will.
People who say "America can't," don't belong in the White House. I proved the critics wrong in New York, and now I'm ready to prove them wrong in Washington.
We will maintain America's technological advantage in space. We will send Americans back to the moon and onto the next great frontier in human space exploration: Mars.
We will support the Commercial Orbital Transportation Systems Program to stimulate important private entrepreneurial efforts in spaceflight.
We will expand private-sector access to Cape Canaveral launch pads. To help prepare astronauts for longer stays in space, we will fund the Space Life Sciences Lab.
NASA currently receives less than 1 percent of the federal budget -- six-tenths of 1 percent, to be more exact. An increase would do wonders without affecting 99 percent of the federal budget. That's the fiscally conservative approach: getting a good return on your dollar.
It is also important to understand that our commitment to space is not just about exploring the planets, but also advancing national security. Our national security space program is the backbone of our 21st century military capabilities:
Military communications, intelligence, unmanned aircraft, and ballistic missile defense, to give a few examples, are all highly dependent on our space capabilities.
Putting a man on the moon inspired me and my generation of Americans. It represented the American Dream -- it taught us that even the sky was not the limit to American technology, ingenuity, and hard work.
When China announced its intention to go to the moon, it reminded me of President Kennedy's words: "The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in the race for space."
We must remain the world's leader in space exploration. And the necessary leadership must come from the White House. From day one, a Giuliani administration will strengthen America's leadership in space.
Unfortunately, Giulani's this strong support for space exploration may be academic if the polls are right this time. Still, it's refreshing to hear such unqualified enthusiasm from a candidate.
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