Can We Still Trust NASA?

It began as the agency with the country’s most noble mission. On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the moon landing, NASA is a mess. The tragedy of the Challenger revealed hints of corruption. A national embarrassment, the Hubble telescope, fell years behind schedule and billions over budget. Will the agency of the future become a relic of the past? Can We Still Trust NASA? would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Science and Technology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• appropriate
• consensus
• crucible
• culminate
• euphemistic
• jettison
• myopic
• propaganda
• rendezvous
• simulated
• tantalize
• volition

1. What are the origins of NASA?

2. What is the full name of NASA?

3. In 1957, the Soviet Union sent Sputnik, a small satellite, into orbit. Why was the United States so upset about Sputnik?

4. How has NASA’s pride over its achievements swelled into arrogance?

5. NASA has been called a pork-barrel bureaucracy. What is a pork barrel? How has NASA become the “ultimate congressional pork barrel?”

6. Why does NASA require the support of the sitting president in order to flourish?

7. How has NASA added to our knowledge?

8. The space shuttle missions of the 1980s and the 1990s cost vast amounts of money. Why are the shuttle missions so expensive?

9. In 1986, the Challenger exploded killing its crew, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Why was the challenger a victim of public relations?

10. Can we trust NASA?

1. Create a timeline of the achievements and failures of NASA.

2. Design a memorial of the Challenger crew.

Related Videos

Air Dates

• May 01, 2001