Financial constraints have led to the deferral of NASA projects like Project Constellation and ExoMars. A stark funding contrast with the Department of Defense raises concerns about space exploration prioritization.
NASA, short for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the U.S. government agency overseeing air and space-related science and technology. Established in response to the onset of the Space Age triggered by the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957, NASA commenced operations on October 1st, 1958, with the mandate to coordinate American space exploration and aviation research.
Regrettably, financial constraints have led to the deferral of critical projects like Project Constellation and ExoMars. Insufficient funding has impeded these endeavors, highlighting the challenges faced by NASA in fulfilling its ambitious goals.
The financial aspect is further underscored by a comparative analysis, revealing that the federal government allocates 40 times less funding to NASA than to the Department of Defense. This stark contrast in financial support raises concerns about the prioritization of space exploration relative to defense initiatives.
In essence, while NASA plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific knowledge and technological capabilities, the budgetary shortfall has forced deferment of key projects. The disparity in funding between NASA and the Department of Defense emphasizes the financial constraints on space exploration.
The probable question can be: Read the third paragraph from the passage.
A common misunderstanding among Americans is about the amount of money NASA receives from the U.S. government. NASA's budget has accounted for 0.5 percent of the total U.S. federal budget. That amounts to roughly $10 of an annual personal income tax going toward the best space program in the world. NASA accounts for 40 times less than what the federal government spends on the Department of Defense. Unfortunately, programs such as Project Constellation, which promised to return American astronauts to the moon, and ExoMars, which was designed to look for evidence of life on Mars and eventually land humans on Mars, have been put on hold due to budget cuts.
The author uses this paragraph to develop which two claims?
All the nations should come together in order to help NASA raise the necessary funds.
Project Constellation and ExoMars have been deferred due to a shortage of funds.
Collaboration with Russia to build the International Space Station resulted in the depletion of funds.
The majority of the federal budget should be spent on NASA, as its work is more important than the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Department of Defense is the strongest in the world, as it uses the funds that should actually be used by NASA.
The amount of money spent on NASA is much less than the amount of money spent on the Department of Defense.