You may know Bill Nye as the Science Guy, but he’s also a passionate supporter of scientific research and CEO of The Planetary Society, a phenomenal group that advocates for planetary exploration.
For the past couple of years, NASA’s budget for planetary mission has been on a bizzare roller coaster of cuts, restoration, political wrangling, and outright byzantine manipulation (see “Related Posts” below for details). In the end, the lion’s share of cuts to planetary exploration have come from the White House.
Nye took to YouTube to record an open letter to President Obama, asking him to restore America’s role as a global leader of science, specifically solar system science.
As usual, Nye is eloquent and persuasive. The Planetary Society has a page set up to help you contribute to the campaign, either financially or through getting the White House (and other political leaders) to hear your voice. Please go and make yourself heard.
I wholeheartedly (and perhaps more importantly, whole-brainedly) agree with what Nye said:
“Supporting a robust space program raises everyone’s expectations of what’s possible… it’s inherently optimistic. It’s part of our national character.”
Related Posts
White House asks for brutal planetary NASA budget cuts
Helping save the planetary space program
NASA 2014 Budget: More for Asteroids, Less for Planets and Education
Draft NASA Bill Defunds Asteroid Mission, Restores Education
