So I have been doing a little research on Presidential candidates when it comes to the space program.  Basically a quick and fast snapshot of where they stand in terms of funding, priorities, etc.  Since NASA get’s by on less than a penny on every tax dollar spent in the USA, this is something of an important issue for me.

Surprisingly, or maybe not surprisingly, the majority of Republicans are FOR increased NASA funding, some by a decent percentage.  Why, you question, when they are the party that turns their back on science at most turns?  I am guessing it has something to do with jobs and national prestige.  NASA’s deep space missions still cater in large part to the legacy aerospace firms, and there is still a decent amount of chest thumping to be had in space as more nations get programs off the ground.

The difference, however, is  in the details.  All but two Republican candidates (Christie & Fiorina) willingly deny any possibility of climate change, and ignore basic climate science.  With those two exceptions, most candidates would steer NASA funds away from Earth Science missions and even near Earth missions–basically anything that could be seen as working on climate issues.  With private companies certainly lining up to pick up near Earth cargo/launch business, focusing NASA on Solar System missions and deep space might be alright.  But ignoring Earth observations, or leaving them in the hands of private business, is fraught with risk.

So far the Democrats are a little harder to read.  NASA has seen only incremental increases in budgets over the length of the Obama presidency, even in Earth science missions.  Biden, if he jumps in, would likely continue this trend.  I haven’t been able to find much at all on Hilary or Bernie.  And despite my hope for a Bernie presidency, I have a feeling that he would trim space and aerospace spending in favor for fixing what needs to be fixed on the ground.  I just happen to think part of that effort could entail getting humanity into the stars.

NASA is, in my opinion, the pride of American scientific exploits.  It deserves much more than a penny out of every dollar–I’d be happy with military style expenditures.  And sadly, most candidates haven’t spent enough time talking about space exploration in order to judge who to vote for if this is your deciding issue.