Olympia Business Watch

Brunell: Will America still aspire to space greatness?

Given the country's $14 trillion budget deficit, coming up with the $18 billion needed to launch a test flight of NASA's new space launch system could be a challenge, AWB President Don Brunell writes in his weekly column.

And that's just the beginning. The total price tag for the rocket program that would eventually carry U.S. astronauts to Mars is currently estimated at $35 billion, and it could cost more than $60 billion for an accelerated program.

Why spend the money?

For starters, the U.S. space program has solidified America's leadership role in the world, fostered incredible advances in science and technology, produced thousands of innovations and products we use in our daily lives, and inspired millions of American youth to pursue careers in science and math, Brunell writes.

In addition, we have a clear lead in space. So as other nations emphasize innovation as they attempt to attract research and development, America already has the space technology and R&D here.

Finally, reaching beyond our planet to the stars has long been part of our greatness as a nation.

Our struggles with debt and China's ambitious space agenda are prompting Brunell to wonder, "Do we as a nation still aspire to greatness in space and beyond?"

Brunell: Return of the sockeye, the legacy of Lonesome Larry

In 1992, a single male sockeye salmon dubbed Lonesome Larry managed to swim 900 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to Redfish Lake in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains.

In his weekly column, AWB President Don Brunell recounts the remarkable turnaround of the sockeye since then, as well as the continued threat to Northwest salmon from federally protected sea lions, Caspian terns and double-crested cormorants.

The point of the column is this, Brunell writes: "Those who simply call for the removal of the four lower Snake River Dams should acknowledge the progress irrigators, foresters and dam operators are making to restore Columbia and Snake Rier slamon and steelhead runs - progress that is being made despite heavy losses from sea lions, terns and cormorants."

Policy Summit: Education: Where are We Headed (Video)