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Appropriations Bill Threatens Future Space Science Missions
ColdWetDog writes "A brief story in the Atlantic notes that the U.S. Senate's energy appropriations bill has failed to supply funds to continue Plutonium-238 production, needed for radioisotope generators for NASA's interplanetary probe programs. No PU-238 means no more missions like Cassini-Huygens, or ones that go places where solar cells won't produce enough power. The article notes that the only other source of PU-238 is Russia — either through the government or through trolling through Siberia and the Russian coastline looking for old Soviet Era lighthouses and power stations."
That means no more Explosive Space Modulators for Marvin to use to threaten to blow Earth away!
As a recent graduate of an Astronomy program, all these recent cuts are making me sweat.
I know this is hard to accept, but you are aren't so smart. If you were smart you would have graduated as a banker or IP lawyer, made your millions and then you could do all the space hippy stuff as a hobby. Instead, you are going to spend the rest of your life filling in TPS reports from some indian or chinese boss. If you are lucky you might get your own cubicle which might cut down a bit on the curry stench emanating from Rajan opposite you.
The good news: you say you are a recent graduate so maybe it's not too late to choose a more fitting career for a 21st century american. Moral of the story: money first, ideals later.