Ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Brian Babin (R-Texas) said the United States has fallen behind its adversaries in the development of its space program and space weaponry, and must encourage STEM studies to advance the U.S. space industry. “We need engineers and physicists and people that will go into our space industry,” Babin told the host of NTD’s Capitol Report, Steve Lance, during a recent interview. Babin said one of the main functions of NASA (National Aeronautical Space Administration) is to educate the public and “to encourage young people to go into STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] studies.” NASA’s federal budget for fiscal year 2021 was $23.3 billion. According to NASA, their STEM engagement strategies include “opportunities, activities, and products, encompassing internships; fellowships; student learning; informal education and out-of-school learning activities; educational products, tools, and platforms” as well as programs to support educators. The …