Don't we have a responsibility to use this money on our living citizens here on earth to help them when they obviously need it? I can understand using money to research equipment capable of leaving our galaxy and going far beyond Pluto, which is obviously another place that is uninhabitable. Are we doing these mars/moon expeditions simply to satisfy our need to keep up with other countries' space programs? It seems a far cry that we are preparing/assessing the feasibility to use these places for our own inhabitance in future years. Even if we were, again isn't it our moral obligation to help those that need the help now here on earth? Any thoughts?
2006-12-06 03:12:38 · 6 answers · asked by Bumbo 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The same argument was made back in the '60s. Going to the moon was worthless, had no social benefit, and was a waste of government money. In retrospect, the research that was done for that program has given huge benefits in weather forecasting (saving millions of lives), in medicine, in basic technology.
Going to the moon or Mars is no more silly than Christopher Columbus going to America. The benefits garnered were NOT immediate, but most on the North and South American continents would say that - in the end, it was a good idea.
What if (just throwing out an idea) that there's a way to culture a vaccine on the moon (with it's 1/6th gravity) that cures cancer, or stops some horrible birth defect? Would it be worth it then? What if the technology to put a base on the moon gives a technology boost to solar power so that solar cells could power a regular home here on earth? Would it be worth it then?
It IS a lot of money. No argument there at all. But sometimes, you need to spend money and 'wait' before you get benefit.
2006-12-06 04:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by words_smith_4u 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually the amount of money that NASA spends on these projects are only about 10% of the money we have in this country..We don't actually know that they are uninhabitable either. There maybe ways to work around issues we would have if living there. I assume you are writing this because they are planing in setting up a base camp in 2020. More power to them I say...It is amazing what this country has done and what they have accomplished!!!
Oh and as far as helping the "needy"...We can only help those who help themseves!
We have plenty of programs that individuals can get into..to help stop there hunger and help them get jobs!
2006-12-06 03:36:59 · answer #2 · answered by Jesabel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You assume that if we spend the money on the "problems" that the problems will go away. Money will not solve hunger, abuse, etc., only social change can do that. As for spending the money on the space program, it is necessary to start exploring space. Not only did we have a huge technology advance during the last space race, it also brought ppl together and had them united under one mission, instead of focused and scared on the cold war.
2006-12-06 03:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by johngrobmyer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes. lets spend the money on a huge telescope the size of earth and just send it in a random direction and see what we find. thats what isay. we can barely travel to the moon.
2006-12-06 03:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just you. You're too small-minded to understand the need for basic research.
2006-12-06 03:29:11 · answer #5 · answered by Otis F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i favour you but its not proved that there is no life on mars or moon.definately we should use this money in helping those on earth.by the way you have good thoughts
2006-12-06 03:27:11 · answer #6 · answered by veby_04 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋