Space Technology

Most everyone has some sort of option on the cost of space travel, and if it is worth the cost. There are strong arguments on both sides of the debate, and below you will find a summarized list of many frequently used arguments.

Pros Of Space travel:

- Space travel has inspired many to continue advancing technology.
- Space exploration, has resulted in multiple new inventions including but not limited to both Velcro, and non stick frying pans.
- If you look at the total GDP world wide, space only accounts for a very small percentage of the total budget.
- The resources that may be laying on other planets may provide invaluable to our reducing the amount of fossil fuels we use.
- Space programs have created many jobs, that would be lost if the budget was cut.
- Better to spend money on our future, than on other projects that would have a much lower potential reward.
- If we are to colonize a different planet, it would reduce the over population issues of Earth. This could also result in the survival of our species when our planet can no longer support human life.
- Multinational space stations have helped bridge diplomacy among multiple nations.

Cons Of Space Travel

- There is a very large percentage of earth’s oceans we have yet to explore. We should continue exploring the remaining unknown regions of our oceans before continuing to another planet.
- The funding for our space exploration comes from the tax payers pockets. Many do not think that they should be forced into paying for something they oppose.
- The total contribution from space travel is minimal at best, when considering the total cost.
- Nearly a third of NASA’S budget is spent strictly in maintaining the International Space Station, and shuttles.
- The government spends so much on space exploration, yet the private sector has more launches into space than most governments combined.
- The risk of another global threat that would kill off the human race like a huge asteroid is very small.
- We should not be worried about colonizing a moon, or planet, better to salvage our existing planet first. If we are to destroy one planet, what is to stop us from repeating the mistakes on another planet.
- Not only is the cost of manned space missions expensive, but can have a vast effect on the human body over an extended period of time. Robots are best suited, which eliminates the human risk factor, and reduces the overall cost.

So Is Space Travel Worth The Cost?

Overall, the general consensus approves of our current exploration methods. The methods used however should be reviewed to aid in reducing the cost of launches. Some feel a space platform on the moon would reduce our costs with reduced, due to the lower amount of gravity, and less dense atmosphere. The overall potential of resources on other planets would make up for several decades of space exploration within a single discovery.

By: Jason J Cox

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