What use to humanity is space exploration and would the money spent on it be of better use here on Earth?

Question

How much pollution does a space shuttle launch produce?

I understand that I could not ask this question without space technology but is this not part of the answer to Bono's how to make poverty history question?

Answer 1

Space exploration is very important, we will soon run out of religious groups to bomb and kill on earth, there may be loads more on a new planet, we can start all over!

Answer 2

Don't know about the amount of pollution but the space programme has brought immense improvements to mankind through the research and development. New metals, electronics, alternative energy sources, new drugs. The list is endless.

Also the earth is a finite resource. The sun will eventually turn into a red dwarf and expand to consume the Earth. Any number of disasters could wipe out mankind. We are all at risk from super volcanoes or meteor strikes that could produce nuclear winter, pollution, epidemics and lots more. Spaceflight offers the chance for a small number of people to leave and keep the human race going.

But more than that, there are many rare metals, minerals and chemicals on the Earth which may well be more abundant on other planets and it is likely that there will be new ones discovered which would be of tremendous benefit.

If the money were spent just on earthly things the loss to all of us would be huge. Without the need to research for space travel or weapons very little of the research that produces the majority of the breakthroughs would be done.

Look at all the benefits of the early exploration of Earth. The UK would not have most of the resources it has today. Exploration of space is not a luxury it is a necessity.

Answer 3

To fulfill man's want for knowledge of the world around him. Also, technologies used in space exploration have often been applied for everyday use: ceramic heat resistant shields, satelite navigation, communication, etc.

As far as the pollution caused by the launch of the shuttle itself, there's not much. The space shuttle burns liquid hydrogen and oxygen mix as fuel and the result of that is water. Lots and lots of water.

Answer 4

The fuel from the SRB's of the shutlle is made up of Ammonium Nitrate. So every time the shuttle takes off it fertilizes the surrounding lawn and landscaped areas.

We need to make an underground space port on the moon, and then man it with proffesional swimsuit models.

Answer 5

I think more money should be spent on it, colonizing space would be vastly useful to mankind, cheaper energy, scientific studies not to mention somewhere to store the millions of people being born each year.
Look at the Unites States Military budget for instance, they waste an unbelievably large amount of money on nothing, i don't think that money is well spent. Its a pity that the cold war is over because now the Americans have no reason to use their money to further mankind.

Answer 6

Yes its expensive and yes the money could probably be better spent on earth-based projects but I think space exploration is worth throwing money at. It offers the prospect of colonising new planet and making scientific discoveries.

Plus it still makes me laugh when my dad says the washing machine is "very space age"

Answer 7

because of the liquid oxygen and nitrogen mixture the amount of bad pollution is really very small, on the other hand besides the ocean as alternative living and farming area the greatest adventure yet is space, like kirk said the final frontier, for a race of people on the verge of ruining their planet, greed and unchecked opportunity, out of control, just hope we can get there before all goes down the sh tter!!!

Answer 8

Do you have any idea how much the Space Program has benefited the field of medicine alone? It has already been spent for a "better earth".

Answer 9

Did you know that there are literally thousands of current technologies that we use everyday that were pioneered by the space program? Exploration is great, but the byproducts are worth the price alone.

Answer 10

The technology developed in these typed of programs has given us much less expensive access to items such as solar power calculators, computers that cost hundreds or even thousands less than they would otherwise, cell phones that take pictures and so much more, too much to mention - the real advantage of such effort comes to us each day in ways that make life more enjoyable, profitable and promote the development of medical breakthroughs in diagnostic equipment that saves lives.- YES it more than worth it.