NASA plans more outreach to Muslim countries

From the Orlando Sentinel:

WASHINGTON — NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden said Tuesday that President Barack Obama has asked him to “find ways to reach out to dominantly Muslim countries” as the White House pushes the space agency to become a tool of international diplomacy.

“In addition to the nations that most of you usually hear about when you think about the International Space Station, we now have expanded our efforts to reach out to non-traditional partners,” said Bolden, speaking to a lecture hall of young engineering students.

Specifically, he talked about connecting with countries that do not have an established space program and helping them conduct science missions. He mentioned new opportunities with Indonesia, including an educational program that examines global climate change.

blogs.orlandosentinel.com...

Now we are outsourcing our space program? What the heck is going on here? It is also a bit discriminatory to single out "dominantly Muslim countries". I see no reason why they should receive special favor over any other nation. It would be more beneficial to work with nations that already have established space programs.

What makes Indonesia special? We could extend a diplomatic hand to Iran as far fetched as that sounds. We could build up the infrastructure of Iraq since were embedded there. Singapore has a space program already established. Instead Indonesia is singled out for special treatment and only because it is a predominately Muslim.

Probably because Muslims mostly hate America.

And opening relations with other nations would benefit science as a whole. There are thousands of scientists and specialist that NASA cannot make use of because they are isolated to work with certain countries.

It's a good move, it shows that the US is willing to share it's Space Tech and support other nations trying to do scientific study in space.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower


After a quick search I find Indonesia already has a space program. If this gesture is about reaching out to Islamic countries why not work with Iran or Singapore? Both are Muslim and one is even an Enemy just waiting to be made into an ally.

en.wikipedia.org...

So the comment about reaching out to nations that do not have an established space program does not apply to Indonesia. If uplifting non space fairing nations is the goal then Indonesia is the wrong place to start.

Why waste money to make the Muslims happy? Make Americans happy. Is this why the moon mission was cancelled?

Why? because the muslim moon god lives there!

Why get Nasa involved?
Don't they already have flying carpets?

Cut our space program to establish science programs in Muslim countries. And this is our responsibility because...?

What the hey, they can send billions to foreign wind power companies in a bill that was supposed to stimulate the economy and create jobs here so why not, right? He and congress can both kiss my posterior region. Thieves and traitors, most if not all of them.

Isn't foreign diplomacy and 'outreach' a job better suited to the state department? Oh well. I suppose now that he's cut the future of our manned space program, he needs to blow the money savings somewhere. We may be in the midst of a fiscal crisis, but what the hell...lets just send some more cash that we don't have to countries that hate us. Sounds like a great plan.

reply to post by Flakey


I completely get the concept behind the action.

Back in the 70s I was a schoolboy in Guyana and queued for over an hour to see the moonrock at the US aid library. I was awe struck.

I grew up to see the bad in America ( e.g. Colossal ignorance and enumeracy) and the good in America (e.g. what they taught the world about equality and their optimism).

Strategically this should lead to a more balanced view of the USA and counter propaganda.

NASA is still an awesome achievement. The manned space landings were expensive but such an achievement.

PS America is still one of my favourite holiday destiantions.

T

This is a stupid thing to do by a foolish President.

Islam is not interested in Science. Unless NASA found the 12th Imam floating around in space and we need some muslims to go visit with him.

Actually Islam is not a homogenous religion. I can understand that the terrorists that have attacked the western world have been moslem but not all moslems even support terrorism. There are suppose to be over 50 different major moslem sects. Plus Sufism.

America cannot simply nuke islam! Before you jump to any conclussions I am not a moslem.

T

[edit on 21-2-2010 by Tiger5]

Islam as a cultural paradigm, regardless of the many sects, is not generative of original thought. Is is a waste of time and precious resources to involve Islam or any of its adherents in space or science in general.

It is sad to even think that NASA is wasting my money on methods of allowing muslims to pray towards Meccas while in space. It is just stupid. Let Islam and its followers blaze their own trail into space.

Originally posted by mike_trivisonno
Islam as a cultural paradigm, regardless of the many sects, is not generative of original thought. Is is a waste of time and precious resources to involve Islam or any of its adherents in space or science in general.

It is sad to even think that NASA is wasting my money on methods of allowing muslims to pray towards Meccas while in space. It is just stupid. Let Islam and its followers blaze their own trail into space.

You do realize that the US has a large Muslim population? Are you also aware that the many sects and groups within that belief are meant to receive full protection under the laws of this country?