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://www.britannica.com/science/space-exploration/Human-beings-in-space-debate-and-consequences
Replies
Great topic choice and summary Trey! You did a good job replying to students bue try toi write more than "Thanks for your opinion. I agree or I disagreee" You did expand on many as well.
I think we shouldn't lower their buget because they do good research about finding somewhere that's compatable for humans incase it's needs. And if the population increases and our planet gets worse, then we might have to colonize a new planet.
Thanks for your opinion. I agree.
i think space travel is a good thing because when our planet is inhabitible whether we are here or not they are still going to need a way to get to other planets to continue living. now with that being said we better hopr the planet is inabitble for a while longer since there is no other planet like earth that we have found.
aThanks for your opinion. I agree.
i belive we should focus on the planet we live on because i feel like america is spending to much money on things to go explore space.
Thanks for your opinion. I can respect your view, but I don't agree with it.
I think we should not waste our time and money exploring space. Because we have everything we need to survive on Earth so there would be no point in trying to find a new planet to live on. we should just focus on making this planet even better.
Thanks for your opinion, but I will have to disagree.
I agree that we need budget cuts for space travel because I believe that we should focus on Earth before trying to find another planet. I think that if we suceed in saving Earth then we won't need another planet (or have more time to find the best planet). However, I do think that space travel can help further expand our understanding of the universe.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 6 Next