Whats the point of putting people in space?

Question

I dont mean to sound ignorant, but what has putting people in orbit accomplished? If someone could provide a link with some of the accomplishments of putting people in space that would be appreciated. i figured if it was having break throughs and such that it would be plastered all over the news. I understand the need for space exploration, but as far as just putting people in orbit i am not aware of anything it has accomplished that is worth what is spent on it, but to be totally honest i am completely ignorant to anything its accomplished or not accomplished.

to the 1st response, you obviously didnt read anything more than the question. As far as most the others its just alot of opinion, one person did point out the computer which i had no idea people orbiting in space had anything to do with.

I guess the grand task of getting people in space and keeping them there is leading to technological gain more so than what the people in space are doing, much as war leads to technological advances instead of the warriors fighting.

Also i do understand the need for space Exploration, its the orbiting i am wondering about.

k, went to the NASA website, didnt see too much about what orbiting accomplishes, but it seems as if the purpose of sending these crews up is that they are highly trained and specialized maintanence crew for the items that NASA uses from the ground to conduct research, which then makes the role of sending people to orbit a very important one.

Answer 1

2 things.

The large/main issue for sending people into space is for space colonization. While its debatable as to whether we have actually started colonization or not, we at the very least increadibly close to seeing colonization. And Space colonization would have numerous positive impact - zero-g R and D, zero-g Products, space based solar power, asteroid mining, expanded perspective - this is the main benefit of manned spaceflight.

However, to date, there have been numerous space spinoffs, which is a secondary set of benefits. The Ethical Atheist has a huge list of space spinoffs, which can be found at http://ethicalatheist.com/docs/benefits_of_space_program.html

I'll list the top 10.
1. The most accurate topographical map of the Earth. This data is used to develop safer navigation techniques and better communication systems.
2. Ultraviolet protection suits for people with rare intolerance to UV light, known xeroderma pigmentosum.
3. Heart pump based on technology of space shuttle's fuel pumps. It's two inches long, one inch in diameter, and weighs less than four ounces.
4. Efficient autos and planes benefiting from NASA wind tunnel and aerodynamic expertise.
5. New metal alloys based on research for the space station program.
6. Thermal protection blankets used in everything from fire fighters suits to survival gear for cold environments.
7. Robots and robotic software with wide-ranging uses that include auto-assembly plants, hazardous material handling, monitoring in dangerous environments, distribution and packaging facilities, etc.
8. Lightweight composite materials that benefit cars, airplanes, camping gear, etc.
9. Perfect protein crystals grown in zero gravity; used for more pure pharmaceutical drugs, foods and an assortment of other crystalline-based products including insulin for diabetes patients.
10. Better understanding of the Earth and its environmental response to natural and human-induced variations such as air quality, climate, land use, food production as well as monitoring quality of our oceans and fresh water.

Any that covers some of the spinoffs, but the most important thing is colonization, because it will provide more room, and more perspective, and a greater amount of resources for humanity.

Answer 2

Well robots are not the end all be all of space exploration or exploitation.. For lot of experiments need a human there .. Lot of times the human is the experiment.. Anyhow as far as links to sites yeah dont be lazy you can google that no time.. But to note few small cool things we've reaped over the years is scratch resistant coating for eye glasses, and ink pens that write upside down..

The idea is not to do laps around Earth for the rest of our days but hopefully learn enough to move out into deeps space ie, Mars for example .. And start living the dream of space exploration and colonization... Lastly, noted few who have answered speaking of whats safer and such like robots instead of humans.... Well we dont do these things because they are safe... If you want safe stay at home and never leave.. because driving in your car is far more likely to get you killed than blasting off into space..... Funny how some risk is so easily accepted and others not when in the end you are still just as dead...

Answer 3

At the beginning maybe was the challenge to get it.But know:
1-There are different experiments that the scientific need the environment conditions that they no can get on the Earth.
2-The first photo of the planet earth was close to 1970 and after that you can see the Atlas map that we are using today.
3- Is your watching Dish Network or other TV provider the Satellite that are bring you the video and sound are rigth there at the space.

4- About National Security we are you of the movement on this planet from the space.

5- Like Black-hob down movie the technology to monitor the war at the Persian Gulf War !! (Baghdad) is out there at the space.For Green Beret and special nit we can send them terrestian,naval and air support with our communication system
out there at the space.

Maybe we can be taking about all nigth long about what we get after our first astronaut when to the space and later the landing at the Moon.

Best Regards,

Gongo Ranger.

Answer 4

There have been many scientific advances developed in space. If you do some research, you'll be amazed. In addition, the human mind has always been curious. We are explorers. There is basically no land left to explore on Earth. Scientists are now exploring the seas and space. Some day, we may need to get off Planet Earth if we are to continue to exist as a species. This may come sooner than we believe. In any case, people climb mountains and search caves to acquire knowledge. They do the same in space.

Answer 5

Your question is a valid one. We are spending billions now without seeing a lot of benefit. A lot of the things manned missions are doing could be done at much less expense with robots.

If all of this money continues to be spent on space missions, the main focus now should probably be to figure out some way to put up huge solar collectors that could take the place of much of the fossil fuel energy we are using up at an extremely rapid rate.

Answer 6

The only real reason to have humans in orbit is to study how they react to being in space for an extended period of time. Everything else can probably be done by robots.

If we are going to send people to Mars, it will take them a long time to get there, so we might as well see how people react to being in a tin can far above the world before we send them off to Mars.

Answer 7

scientific advancement. Aside from the actual travel, there are lots of experiments conducted... "break throughs" as you are looking for, do not come easy or without hard work. I think you should look into this so you understand it more. Asking everyone else to provide you with a link is silly. Go to google. The truth is that if you want to understand it, you will.

Answer 8

Tang. The breakfast drink. Without actually going into orbit, the astronauts wouldn't have been able to develop a breakfast drink that not only makes your eyes water, but works as the worlds greatest laxative.

Answer 9

Read the above! Many thing we enjoy today are made possible because of the recearch that can only be done in space. ID 10 T error!

Answer 10

For one, you wouldn't have that computer you're typing on if it weren't for the experiments they do in orbit.