Earth dropped from NASA mission statement

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060724-123617-8624r

Earth dropped from NASA mission statement
WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- NASA has reportedly eliminated the promise "to
understand and protect our home planet" from its mission statement.

That statement was repeatedly cited last winter by NASA climate scientist
James Hansen, who said he was being threatened by political appointees for
speaking about the dangers posed by greenhouse gas emissions.

But NASA officials told The New York Times the elimination of the phrase
that was used by Hansen was "pure coincidence." The statement now proclaims
the agency's mission is "to pioneer the future in space exploration,
scientific discovery and aeronautics research."

A NASA spokesman said the change brings the agency into line with U.S.
President George W. Bush's goal of pursuing human spaceflight to the moon
and Mars.

One observer noted results from NASA's increasing involvement in monitoring
the Earth's environment have sparked political disputes concerning the Bush
administration's environmental policies.

Hansen said the elimination of the phrase involving protecting the planet
might reflect a White House desire to shift the spotlight away from global
warming.

He told The Times: "They're making it clear that they ... prefer that NASA
work on something that's not causing them a problem."


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