• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • News
  • Topics
    • Common Sense
    • Congress
    • Debt
    • Government waste
    • Millenials
    • QuizCap
    • Taxes
  • Tools
    • Agencies
    • Memes That Matter
    • Research Library
    • Scavenger Hunt
  • Shop
  • What We’re About
  • Multimedia
  • What We’re About
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter signup
  • Give to the Cause

Space Force! Hilarious, Expensive, Necessary?

By Adam Kazda | June 26, 2018

President Trump’s recent ambition to create a “space force” has been met with laughter and optimism. It also raises important questions like “why is a space force necessary?” and “how much would it cost taxpayers?”

The so called space force would be created as a new military branch or service within the Air Force that would be dedicated to space related operations. Currently, 60 different entities have some authority on American space related practices, including all five branches of the military. The issue has been gaining steam over the past couple decades as the military increasingly relies on satellites for its missions. According to Bloomberg, “The U.S. military uses space-based technology for navigation, reconnaissance, weather forecasting, intelligence collection, communications, command and control, precision targeting, and much else. Its reliance on satellite-guided munitions has increased with each new conflict in recent years.”

There is also a growing concern that “space could become an “Achilles’ heel” for America’s high-tech forces,” since satellites are vulnerable to attack. But there are reasons to be cautious about creating such a force. One is the likelihood of creating a space arms race that would stress alliances. The other is the cost of research and development that could stress taxpayers’ wallets and the nation’s debt that has already eclipsed $21 trillion.

learn about our mission Artboard 1
× Follow us on Facebook and never miss a story.

Space related projects are no stranger to expensive cost overruns and schedule delays. Last week, the House Science Subcommittee on Space held a hearing targeting those issues within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). NASA is experiencing serious cost growth as well as schedule delays in its portfolio of projects, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. GAO found one of NASA’s most expensive projects, Orion, does not have a current cost estimate, but expects costs and schedule to grow. The Webb telescope, which hopes to be Hubble’s successor was delayed by 19 months and is projected to cost more than its $8 billion cap. GAO also found that launches were delayed an average of 12 months – the longest GAO has ever reported.

The Weekly Chaser

Get the latest content, first.

Perhaps NASA’s most famous example of waste is its A-3 rocket testing tower. Dubbed “Launchpad to Nowhere” and the “Tower of Pork,” the project cost $350 million to complete, has no purpose, but continues to cost taxpayers money. Completed as part of President George W. Bush’s Constellation program, NASA hoped to send astronauts back to the moon. However, President Obama cancelled the program in 2010 due to schedule and cost overruns. The tower continues to costs $840,000 every year to maintain, in addition to the $43 million taxpayers pay to maintain other NASA facilities that are not being used or are obsolete.

While there will always be some uncertainty with innovation, particularly space related, the agency’s $19.1 billion budget should have more accountability from Congress. “[We need] more frequent conversations with members of Congress, more fidelity to cost-estimating that NASA does right now, and the occasional example that projects, large or small, are going to be terminated if they go too far over cost and schedule,” says Paul Martin, the NASA inspector general.

Space, after all, is the final frontier. If Congress and the Administration decide it is necessary to create a space force, it should do so with tax dollars in mind. Until then, Congress should be focused on oversight of our current space programs so our nation’s fiscal problems don’t force us to move to the moon.

× Follow us on Twitter.

sidebar

sidebar-alt

If you liked this, you’ll love these

Spouses Stab Voodoo Dolls When “Hangry” Study Reveals

Read all about it Artboard 1

American Tax Dollars Go To French Summer Camps, Festivals, and Job Placement Programs

Read all about it Artboard 1

Do You Know Your Federal Mascots?

Read all about it Artboard 1

Support Our Work

Federal agencies go largely unchecked, spending at will making use of inflated budgets. While some do very important work, we need to hold them accountable. You can do this by donating, emailing your legislator, or signing our petitions.

Donate Now

Sign Up for Pursuit Updates

Privacy Policy

Powered by the Foundation to Restore Accountability

Search
UNCOVER SOME GOVERNMENT WASTE?
share your opinion

Can you believe the US Government spends more money on it’s cable bill than on disaster relief?

NO! I’M FURIOUS! Eh, sounds right