Cost Of Space Exploration

We are drawn to the unknown. The thought of space exploration excites us; we could discover a whole new world at the tip of our fingers. But is it worth the resources and time? It is evident that a handful of individuals do not agree with funding the exploration of other planets when we can hardly maintain our own, but others argue that NASA (Source B) and other scientific organizations dedicated to extraterrestrial studies provide us with invaluable information that could lead to new discoveries or technologies. While both sides pose reasonable thoughts, we must consider the cost and time required of the program and how it can truly benefit our own planet as a whole.

Money is typically the most important factor in any decision.

In Source C, Andrew Chamberlain allows us a visual representation of the 2006 estimates regarding how each federal dollar is spent. The most funded programs are social security with twenty-one cents and national defense with nineteen cents, with the least funded programs being a tie between transportation and veterans benefits and services which are both at a mere three cents. Other programs, such as space exploration, only rack up six cents per tax dollar. This has come to a shock to some, such as David Livingston who argues that “the manned space exploration is absolutely worth the cost . . . [t]he money disperses throughout the economy . . . [and] builds wealth for [our] nation, solves problems, and enhances life” (Source A). Others would disagree however, and may even suggest that six cents is far too much for space exploration. Margaret R. McLean argues that “almost $17 billion will fly into NASA’s coffers with around $5.3 billion dedicated to space exploration” which is “potentially exploiting” tax payers (Source E). Unfortunately,

If the only discovery that space exploration will provide us is a new star in the sky, it is unlikely to be funded. The “wonder and beauty” (Source E) of space cannot be the solely purpose for exploration. For example, Source D outlines the undeniable benefits of another program, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which helped to lower death rates from various diseases in both infants, adults, and children, as well as provided vaccines for once-fatal and debilitating diseases. Such benefits are present in space exploration, however, including learning “how to be a better steward of precious Earth” (Source A). McLean argues again that “we do not have a very good track record in protecting our planet home . . . resulting in the disruption of migratory routes, soil erosion, and species extinction” (Source E). While plenty of evidence of negative human impact of our environment exists, we must also consider how the analysis of other planets and ecosystems could educate our current agricultural and scientific programs; researching the methods of other species’ survival may potentially result in a healthier, more abundant ecosystem for our own planet. For example, as our indigenous ancestors came into contact with a variety of new societies, they exchanged ideas and learned much from each other, particularly