Houston, we have a problem. Candidates, we need a decision. As NASA's budget is being squeezed tighter and tighter and space exploration is losing momentum in our country while gaining momentum in others, the U.S. space program requires new focus and new funds.

The 2008 Presidential contenders should carefully assess their positions on support and funding for the space program. It is a topic that is too weighty not to be considered as a factor in choosing the next president.

John McCain has shown strong support, Hillary Clinton has demonstrated spotty support and Barack Obama has shown little support for space exploration.

McCain sponsored legislation authorizing funding consistent with the President's vision for the space program, which includes a return of astronauts to the Moon in preparation for a manned mission to Mars. Clinton's votes in the Senate have supported the NASA budget, and in an interview with the Houston Chronicle editorial board, she claimed that she wanted to "support the next generation of spacecraft for a robust human spaceflight program."

However, she has not vocalized this viewpoint too loudly when campaigning in other states besides Texas. Obama, on the other hand, has suggested that NASA money might be better spent on education because 'actually sending bodies isn't always the 'best investment.' How can Obama expect kids to 'reach for the stars,' if he is proposing a plan that will cut funding for an organization that literally reaches for the stars?

I believe that space exploration and manned space flights are education in themselves. Space exploration furthers technology development, creates jobs in the science and technology fields, and enables us to acquire valuable knowledge about the world and universe we inhabit

Space travel and education in math and science go hand in hand. Complex, difficult engineering and science endeavors can not be accomplished without an accomplished workforce. Perhaps if space travel were once again important to Americans, more children would be interested in pursuing careers in math, science and engineering. In an age of rapid technological growth and development, especially among our tech-savvy younger generation, it is odd that space exploration isn't a major concern or interest.

In a 2007 survey, young Americans between the ages of 18-25 showed high levels of apathy about sending astronauts to the moon and Mars. What does the future hold in store for my generation if we do not seek knowledge, explore, sustain and grow our technology base and expertise?

While government funding for NASA obviously hits close to home for Texans, NASA's mission is important to the success of our entire country. All great countries have been countries that have explored and searched beyond their borders. If we fall behind in the re-ignited space race, in future years, we will no longer be a 'great nation.'

While Bush has laid out a commendable plan to develop a new spacecraft, Orion, to take flight in 2015, and to send a voyage to the moon in 2020 to build a lunar habitat, the space shuttle is set to retire in 2010, leaving an uneasy five-year gap in space exploration.

During this time, China will also be forging ahead in an effort to go the moon. Some people think that NASA is merely a commodity.

They argue that we have too many problems to deal with here on earth to spend money to propel a few select individuals out of the gravitational hold of our planet. Granted, NASA's $16 billion budget is a lot of money, but it accounts for only 0.6% of the federal budget.

And, while it is true there are many important issues to deal with and many projects that need funding, NASA's funding compared to the $609 billion DOD budget or the $1.58 trillion budget for social programs is small.

This a critical time for the U.S. in the role as a leader in exploration and space technology development. Losing momentum now will undoubtedly alter our world position later.

I can't bear to see my generation farther behind in the exploration of space than my parents' generation. Do we really want to be 'grounded' for the rest of our lives?

In addition, by creating an international space program, the U.S. has brought together 15 countries around the globe to work on a complex engineering project of peacetime. The furthering of international cooperation and friendships are benefits of the space program that are frequently forgotten. In a time where anti- American sentiment runs rampant, it certainly wouldn't hurt to be working toward a shared goal with countries around the globe.

So, with the Texas primaries leaving the Democratic nomination for President up in the air, the candidates should let us know just how important the future of the space program is to them. Do they have a vision for the future that is one of growth, discovery and innovation?

They have an important stance to take on space exploration that should have a gravitational pull on the decision of all voters. After all, the United States has always been a country of action. I want a President whose courses of action aren't just 'wishing' on stars, but 'reaching' for them!

---