Why on earth would anyone risk their lives just to take a space shuttle into outer space?

Question

With the odds being 1out of every one hundred chance that you might die, why would anyone willingly get onto a space shuttle. Especially after all of the failed attempts, is going to space once really worth the possibilites of dying up there?

I understand and agree that we need people to do this, but not now! NASA has a flawed system, and until they come close to perfecting it, I don't understand why these scientists are risking their lives just GETTING to space!

Answer 1

Good question. I think the most prudent course of action for the space program is a complete redesign of the shuttle system. While the space shuttle was good for what it did at the time it was created, it obviously had some serious flaws in its design that would hamper safety. Do I think that there will be another accident in the American space program? Yes, sure there will. There are inherent risks on going to space that we can never overcome. However, knowing those risks and dealing with them is how we make progress.

NASA is playing the odds with a shuttle launch, though it will likely turn out to be fine for the astronauts involved. However, I think it's all a matter of time until another disaster strikes.

Now another good question would be, "Why doesn't NASA redesign the shuttle system to minimize the risks to people's lives?" For that, you have to turn to Washington, and look where we're spending all our money nowadays. There's your real answer.

Answer 2

I hope the asker will vote the answer by "michelsa0276" as the Best Answer. I agree with him 100%.

All the others ignore the fact that the Space [Shuttle] Program has long ago outlived its never-too-good benefit-to-risk ratio. What was OK in the late 1960's is not OK now.

I believe all US Space Shuttle flights should be cancelled now, and forever. An entirely new space vehicle program is needed. NASA probably won't get it right for decades, if ever.

Answer 3

As a child I really wanted to be an astronaut!! Growing up near the space coast, it was not to far from reality to dream about going into the great abyss of space. In 2nd grade the Space shuttle Challenger blew up as my entire class watched from the school courtyard. I did not recognize the risk each of those astronauts took as they waved goodbye for a final time before boarding the shuttle. Dreams can be chased forever, for those who live it though, their is know sweeter symphony than the dream achieved. I think every person who realizes a dream would gladly risk it all. Even through the fire!! These people are heroes beyond our reasoning, they risk it all for a dream.

Answer 4

I would say the reason the astronauts risk their lives is for the adventure and to study outerspace.

Perhaps this sense of exploration and adventure is similar to the risks the explorers took coming to the New World in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. They took many risks as well.

As did the pioneers who went out west. They didn't know what was ahead and faced dangers as well.

The experiments and studies the astronauts are doing will someday help in the medical fields and maybe the agricultural fields as well.

Answer 5

If people didn't risk their lives by taking a ship to go to India because this "crazy guy" thought Earth wasn't flat, or by taking the first plane prototypes, the world would be soooooo different.

These people's names are written in history, the ones who made the same question you are doing right now just faded away in time.

I'd personally prefer to die in a crazy mission to Neptune than dying in an asyllum making up stories to entertain voluntaries, because I had a long, empty boring life.

Answer 6

it is exploration to find new lands and tecnoligies,well think of it this way that's what people thought about sailing in the 1400's but if christopher columbus would have listened then there would be no america so some time in 500 years people will look back from mars and say if we would have listened to ------- then there would be no human mars!!!

p.s. plus it's patriotic,cool,fun,and you would go down in history plus there's only a few that crash i mean theres probably been about 1000 space launchs with only like 4 defects so it's fairly safe plus you can pay like $ 6,000,000 to go into space anyways like that one celeb so it's pretty safe.

what's it worth, new medicine to save maybe millions of lives and freedom,from a corrupt earth in 500 years like america was in the 1700's and 1800's through today.

Answer 7

If NASA didn't send up space missions, why would they need to exist? But there are thousands of products we have today that have their roots in space research--from medicines to various materials to communications satellites. How much worse would our lives be without these things?

For that matter, people are willing to go into space and take risks--nobody is forcing them to go. Sure, it might be dangerous up there, but what are their chances of success if they never go into space? Zero.

Answer 8

You could say the same about climbing Mount Everest but yet so many people see this as a challenge and an accomplishment when they succeed. There are some people who are risk takers. me, I'm a wimp....no risks here but I commend those who put their lives on the line for the sake of knowledge., perseverence, and determination.

Answer 9

It's one of the few ways to see what's really out there besides Earth. There are just people that rather experience it for themselves. That's why there are trained astronauts. I'm sure they are well aware of the risks but in life, you have to take risks to do the things you want.

Answer 10

Because is a much more glorious and exciting way to die, in the pursuit of something unique and thrilling as opposed to being run over by drunk driver or dying of boredom.
This is also why we risk our lives parachuting, mountain climbing, and in my case, riding motorcycles (been hit once already).