Is space exploration worth it?

Question

Is the money spent on sending rockets, satellites and ships into space yielding real benefits for us on earth? If so, what are they?
Is it worth pushing out towards the stars when there's a lot of trouble on earth that's not been sorted out?

Opinions welcome, concrete examples a bonus.

Answer 1

I think this is a good question. A lot depends on how you define space exploration. With optical and radio instruments, you can explore space from your back door, minimum expense! But you're talking about the actual going into space, and here I have strong opinions about the manned versus robotic issue. From a romantic, high adventure angle, I can see the appeal of sending up astronauts, but in terms of expense and effort, I think it's a terrible waste - most of the technology goes into keeping the humans alive, instead of doing science and exploring.
But to answer the general question, I'd say a very loud yes! I often here the arguments about money being better spent on hospitals and food relief, but unfortunately it's not an either or situtation. Money not spent on space would not, by default, go to worthy causes intstead. When project Apollo was scrapped early, the American government 'saved' multiple millions - the result was not a wave of hospital building or overseas aid, the money just evaporated back into the budget. And if we're going to use the 'spend tax money on something better' argument, hows about 'Not invading other countries and spending the money on space and poor relief?' (ooo - spot of politics creeping in, sorry!)
I don't feel we have to point to specific 'spin off' benefits of the space program to justify it. We are increasing the pool of human knowlege, that is a glorious end in itself. I have watched Eathrise from Mars, lseen volcanoes on Io, istened to the winds of Titan, heard the echo of the big bang itself. This is the age of miracle and wonder!
You can't put a cash value on new knowelge, nor predict it's application in the far future. There is a nice story about, I think, Michael Faraday, who had been demonstrating electro-magnetism to a govenment minister. When asked 'what is the use of your discovery?' He answered 'I can not say, Sir, but I can say that one day you will be able to tax it'
BTW, several people have named Velcro as a spin off from the sapce race - MYTH, guys, long since debunked! Velcro pre-dates Space technology by years! (As does teflon) If I had to give an example of a technology that was perhaps speeded up by the demands of the space-race, I'd stick my neck out and say computing and the integrated circuit.

Answer 2

I think it has been in the past and still is worth it. It's led to discoveries and inventions (satellites) that have made life better in my opinion.

True dat... There's a lot of trouble on earth, but space exploration is not the cause. However, it could lead to some tragic effects. But as long as it's used to sort out more problems than it makes, it's worth it.

Answer 3

Not really, we don't live long enough to ever be able to get to anywhere that might support life like our planet does. We should concentrate on probes that send back pics though, and spend more on developement of propulsions. Lets face it, we're in the Stoneage of Spaceflight, we need a lot more speed. They are thinking of controlled nuclear explosions as a booster, meeting a lot of resistance i've heard though. Look at the cost of all the Wars on Earth. Cutting money from certain projects wouldn't guarentee the savings would be redirected to the starving anyway, they'd probably waste it on some pea-brained venture anyway.

Answer 4

Yes, to me space exploration is recording places analysing is part of geography, understanding more possibilities which can be useful in the future with purpose. I know space exploration requires money from government to find more places and planets in the whole wide universe, the objectives of it is the adventure is to seek answer what is really beyond and inside the universe, for example, scientists explain the phenomemon of the asteroid hit, the world is not flat, and we seeking an answer why there is UFO, rather than to be held in the dark.

There is more, seeing the view of other planets' landscape is rare and may be beautiful as earth too.

Answer 5

Yes, most definitely. It may be a highly visible use of funds, but that doesn't make it a veyr large use of them. NASA got $17 billion last year, compared to around $400 billion for the US military and over $700 billion for health and social security. The money spent on space exploration is spent right here on Earth and actually goes right back into the economy.

Answer 6

Of course it's worth it. What if our early explorers believed the "fact" that the earth was flat and they would sail off the edge?? The 'trouble on earth' will never be sorted out as long as it's occupied by humans....All the more reason to explore the universe. I hope I live to see the day, when we blast all of the perverts and psychos to a cold nasty planet and let them enjoy each other....just a thought..and a good one.

Answer 7

Perhaps we should ask the folks of New Orleans who were warned of an oncoming hurricane by weather satellites in orbit.

All cellular communications depends on timing signals from GPS which also comes from satellites.

And let's not forget satellite communications.

All those things and many more are the direct result of exploration of space. If you can live with out them, my hat is off to you.

Answer 8

Yes. Plastic, Velcro, GPS, satalite TV, military satalite imaging, for example.

Plus, eventually the earth will run out of resources or will be smacked by a giant asteroid. We must expand to new planets if we are to survive as a species. Period.

In 1433, China discovered america and started to colonize it. They stopped in order to focus on problems at home. They all but vanished from the world stage for centuries, while britain, who aggressively funded colonies in america, became a world power for the next 300 years (and counting).

Answer 9

I think its definatly more of a curiosity in exploring space, rather than the fact that it is a benefit for the human race.
The money on space exploration would definatly be better spent sorting out this world, rather than one no one else lives in.

Answer 10

I believe it is not only a benefit for us on earth but for life on earth as well. We are starting to see the unique features of human species and society. Life can be found in seas, rocks, air - bacteria to fungi, plants, animals. Human is nowhere really at ease - poor naked ape. But it is the only specie able to survive in space ! The mission of life is to expand, develop. We need to work on the fundaments - a healthy society, economy, environment, in order to create the basis for the top of the evolutionary screw - expansion of life to other parts of the universe.

Space exploration gives a great perspective for society. It is a dream, but feasible. Rember JFK promise to land a man on the moon.