Is Space a Waste of Time?

[5Trey]

Space exploration has been around for over 60 years, but some people are starting to believe that it is no longer worth the effort. For the first few years of its existence, there was great enthusiasm for the space race as people wanted to see who could achieve it first. In recent years though, this enthusiasm has dwindled and many think we should stop funding space agencies and use the money for other issues. 

Those who think that the space budget should be cut, often think that it is unfair that so much of their tax dollars are going to what they don't think is important. Getting to other planets is irrelevant when we already have so many issues to fix here on Earth. Instead of spending billions on space, we could use it to help climate change, cancer research, or help with the national debt. Also, 20 total people have died from space-related accidents when only 656 people have ever gone to space, giving space travel a fatality rate of around 2.8%. 

If humans live long enough, we will eventually need to leave our planet and it would be better if we were prepared than not. While it is true tax dollars are going to space funding, it is not as much as most people think. The total amount spent on space travel is less than .5% of the American tax dollars or only around $24 billion. That may seem like a lot, but when compared to the 29% or around $4 trillion that things like healthcare already have and the $33 trillion America has in debt, it becomes much clearer that an additional $24 billion won't make much difference. Most people don't know but many things we use today have come from space travel, improved living with things like wireless headphones, GPS, home insulation, and things that have saved lives like CAT scans and cochlear implants. It has provided many jobs, helped better our understanding of the human body for healthcare, and has a positive economic output of about $70 billion. As for the risks, it can still be dangerous, however, with each attempt it will get safer over time. 

Space can be very inspiring for young people. It can make them want to do great things for the betterment of our species. It gives us a new perspective on the world we live in and helps improve our understanding of the universe.

I don't think it is as simple as yes or no. I don't think that lowering the space budget is a necessary action to get the results people want with other issues, but I don't think we need to focus on it as much as some people think we should. Space travel will be necessary in the future, but only in the very distant future. The things that have come from space exploration have been great enough to change the world for the better, and I think we should at least work towards designing a way to effectively travel through space if we ever need it. 

 

Questions:

Should we lower space agency's budget?

Is space travel vital for our species' survival?

Should we colonize a new planet?

 

https://naeye.net/18695/science/should-nasas-budget-be-increased/#:~:text=Increasing%20NASA's%20budget%20will%20open,budget%20stood%20at%20%2421.5%20billion.

 

https://www.britannica.com/science/space-exploration/Human-beings-in-space-debate-and-consequences

[4Grant]

I do not think that exploring space is a waste of time. There are many different benefits to exploring space. Not only is the sense of seeking knowledge, and information with things outside of our planet, but there are millions of minerals and materials that we humans could utilize and upgrade our technology in order to make more advancements. Astromining (The mining of astroids) would be fantastic for this.

[5Trey]

Thanks for you opinion. I agree with everything you said.

[5Levi]

I don't think we should lower the space agency's budget because if our planet starts to slowly not support of life anymore, it might be important to go to other planets. I think that the space agency is making space travel safer and cheaper the more they work on space travel.

[5Trey]

Thanks for your opinion. I think you miss spelled, but I agree with everything you said.

[6Carly]

I think that space travel is vital in order to determine the rest of our existance. As you mentioned, we will eventually need to leave our planet in search of a new space to live. That being said, exploring space and searching for that new land is important for our future. While evacuation may not be for a very long time, I would rather have a plan than going somewhere that is deemed unsafe for human life. 

[5Trey]

Thanks for you opinion. I agree with your thoughs on the topic.

[7Nathan]

If we defund the space agency and use the money for helping the climate and curing diseases, then we might be able to stop climate change and ensure the survival of our species. On the other hand, we could find a "Goldilocks" planet (Planet that can sustain life) in our galaxy that is close enough to reach, which would also ensure our survivial. I think we should not defund the space agency fully, just give them some money while the rest goes to fighting climate change and other issues.

[5Trey]

Thanks for your opinion. I can agree with most of what you said.

[6Abe]

We shoudlnt change the budget, we dont need to lower it cause they could find something very usfell and we dont need to raise it casue its not neccesary right now. If we live long enough, maybe, not sure if well need it. Yes we should colonize a planet.

[5Trey]

Thanks for your opinion. I agree.