1. The end of an era? Sean Foster

2. As most of us know, we are in a recession. The Government is in debt trillions of dollars. Obviously, spending had to be cut. So, naturally some of the cuts would be to the most “superfluous” party, the Space Administration. However… First off, why was the funding lowered?

3. Who am I to say? I’m just a kid that likes space and always dreamed of working at NASA. And as we all know, NASA had been planning a mission to Mars that would bring back rocks and soil samples. That could have really enhanced our understanding of our red neighbor. But, cuts had to be made. But again, I am not in charge of the budget. Was this the best course of action?

4. I can appreciate that the program was really expensive for the Government, but there are plenty of expensive programs that could have taken a little more cuts. But I don’t have all the facts that the people that work with the budget have, so I don’t want to make too many statements about it. What could have been better?

5. While no one knows for sure what will happen, I feel confident that when the budget has a little more wiggle room, the Space Administration will be fully reinstituted… right? I believe, as do many others, that this program is very important to our understanding of the universe. I would put more emphasis on it rather than taking away. What does the future hold in store?

6. I would like to use this space to plead with you. My dream has been to work with NASA and be part of the team that finally sends men to Mars! But, without sufficient funding, it will always only be a dream. I might cry. Don’t make me cry, Congress. :’( This is the slide where I beg.

7. NASA and the rest of the Space Program is an essential part of understanding the universe. However, without a sufficient budget, they can’t do everything they need to do to stay on top of the mission they have planned. They had a mission planned to Mars! So please, I implore you, let the Program do what I know it is capable of doing. Call to Action!

8. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/04/nasa-reevaluates-mars- program-after-budget-cuts/ http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/02/15/obama_2013_budget_ darpa_nasa_drones_and_other_technology_spending_.html http://www.space.com/14544-president-obama-nasa-budget-2013.html World Book Encyclopedia, 2012. Research