Do you think the U.S. and other countries' space exploration is a huge waste of time and money?

Question

The U.S., Europe, China, Japan and others by doing this endeavor are spending not millions of dollars but BILLIONS! [ala Kevin Spacey accent :) ]

I honestly think it's a huge waste. What are they really doing it for? To study the universe? Contacting E.T.? Experimenting space weapons? A space race? What?! If it's one or all of the above, it's beyond my understanding.

Sure, many will say it's important for whatever reason, but c'mon do they have to spend BILLIONS?! I don't think I have to say where that amount of money should go to. Governtments shouldn't be doing that today. Is there anyone raising a voice against this in the U.S. I wonder what NASA's budget is and do Americans even know the real figures? That goes for the other countries.

I think space exploration should be left to future generations or at least today the filthy rich individuals-Let them spend for it not the government. What do you think? I wanna hear your honest opinion.

Answer 1

The technology that has been developed due to the space program is amazing. It isn't earth shattering or anything, but so many of the products you buy or things you enjoy come out of space program research.

The government has gotten all of its money back in taxes from the commercial items that were invented because of the space program.

Answer 2

It is not a waste of time. There will be a point where we cannot develop in this Earth anymore. We need to explorer the outer space, do lots of research, understand our universe better before we are able to survive out there. If we explorer the universe right before we realize the Earth's resource is almost use up, then it will be too late. Space research takes long time, decades, or maybe hundreds of years.

The governments have other plan as well. They want to compete for domination. Anyone who is able to dominate the outer space will become the super power in Earth. Now the government satellites are equiped with weapons, once war started, each country will shoot down the opponent's satellites. They want to be able to launch nuclear weapons from outer space as well.

The private sector also do some research on outer space, but they won't invest too much money though. Rich people will only invest in something that they think will generate good revenue, not something they are uncertain of. Rich people, like Bill Gate cannot do the fund the research by himself. His wealth will be eaten up quickly. Government has huge fund (trillions), rich people have a limit.

Answer 3

I see how it can seem like a waste especially with out "sub-par" craft. Billions of dollars is a lot of money, but so is a space shuttle. I personally, am all for studying and exploring space.

Think about it, the same can be said for the war in Iraq. To me it is pointless and stupid, but the fact remains that it is a very expensive war. And the longer it drags on the higher costs get.

I have always been a huge Sci-Fi fan; ie: Star Wars, Stargate, and many many anime. I am absolutely fascinated not with what is, but with what can be. I would love to fly around in a hovering vehicle or read a newspaper with flashing advertisements on them (nanotechnology), but along with these advancements also come the natural advancements of space. We have to start somewhere, we might as well start now. Besides, humans are too curious to NOT spend billions of dollars.

Answer 4

I don't think it is a waste of money, although those can be spend on something else that may be more useful for now. But perhaps in a few hundred years, people may have the opportunity to move to and live in space (however i don't know why they would do that since resources would have to come from earth anyways, so it won't help with lowering the usage of availabe resources) But space science (or science in general) is a on going process and can't be just left for the future generations. Imagine if there wasn't any progress from science these few hundred years ago, then there would be no industralization, scientific breakthrough in medicine, etc, and we won't be having our lifestyle right now.

Answer 5

No, no way is it a waste of money. We must continually try to improve our species. That is why Voyager 1&2 were launched to try and connect with other worlds. We know life exists in the galaxy we just can't reach it in our life time.

No matter what the cost..I feel the undeniable drive to find answers to scientific questions that only space travel can allow.

money means nothing when the human race could improve itself with space travel. So much is unknown. Voyager 1&2 are still sending back info and photos to nasa after twenty-eight years since their launch...If the US did stop space exploration I would be devistated and wonder what my life was about....Space travel represents HOPE for our future...

Answer 6

I think some of the projects and activities that NASA and other agencies have undertaken have real merit, but there is at this point in the game a fundamental question as to whether we may want to take care of what is right under our feet before we going skipping across the cosmos. Some programs and areas should remain funded (i.e. near earth objects, telecommunications advancement, medical studies, etc.), but right now I don't think it is necessary or advisable to put people on the moon or mars or create new telescopes to look planets, until we figure out how to feed everyone, eradicate disease, and clean up this trash heap of a planet we call home.

Answer 7

Absolutely not! I think we should invest a lot more into it. There is a lot to be learned from "space" such as: alternative fuel sources, other methods of communications. FM radio was discovered due to 'space exploration'. Before FM, all we had was AM radio. Nuclear fuel is a result of studies of the sun. Also, it may be possible to produce food stuffs in 'space' through colonization of other planets, moons, etc. We have a world hunger problem, and that could easily solve it.

Answer 8

I think its the only thing we are doing right! Think back to the moments that have brought together our county, and made us proud. Not to many to count. But this is one of our greatest achievements. It's one of the few things remaining that aren't tainted. Every country involved cooperates with one another, which doesn't even happen in the Olympics any more.

While I agree with the money aspect, I believe there are way less important things to cut the fat on. You know, like $2000.00 toilet seats!!!

Do you watch TV? Satellite maybe? Do you own a cell phone? Satellite radio? ect....

All these things are possible because of space exploration. And the future is boundless.

Here's one that'll blow your mind:

Google "Space Elevator".... they are building an elevator to space. But it's only possible to build from a zero gravity environment. AKA deep space! That justifies it for me right there.

Answer 9

Actually, it should be our top priority, maybe what we should all scrap here on Earth are wars and the weapons that accomodate them. With a vast infinite out there and our world becoming ever so crowded, along with limited resources to support an increasing population. It's almost a travesty that so much lies out there and we are so self-absorbed that we have not been even more active in numerous kinds of space exploration. Cosmically speaking, we haven't even got out of our chair.

Answer 10

Think of the technological advances made...a waste I don't believe it to be. What if an asteroid is found on a crash course with earth and our space technology allows the survival of the human race(I know it's a stretch)?
like ANY government agency NASA is plagued with waste...and THAT is the true issue.