NASA's Asteroid Plan being Attacked by Republican Panel; They Want to Scrap the Idea
As per report of USA Today news, the panel of NASA on sending a spacecraft to shove an asteroid into the moon's orbit so that it can be further studied.
As the Republican panel convene in Congress and continue to question NASA's plan to corral a small part of big asteroid and bring it to orbit. With the part being collected, it can be taken back to earth and see how it can be useful in asteroid missions.
The panel is referring to NASA's conclusion that it should go ahead with the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) to send astronauts to the red planet Mars and learn more of its living condition.
The committee is suggesting that it should go with NASA to send a spacecraft, unmanned going to Mars and then back which proves to be more feasible than sending the live astronauts.
The asteroid mission was being supported in some hearings of the congress wherein the journey will be a useful stepping stone going to Mars instead of sending a team of astronauts. Scientists even thought of the plan or mission is indeed awesome and more viable.
Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas GOP has stressed that he has demanded from Charles F. Bolden Jr., NASA'S Administrator to listen to their recommendation during a subcommittee hearing's Science, Space and Technology.
Bolden also told Smith that they should be constant in their purpose. He also believes that his recommendation is the best option and he will also report it to the president.
There is also the question of the budget of NASA with USD 18.5 billion for 2016 which a fight has been going on and trying to go through Congress who is skeptical on the asteroid mission.