Why are we traveling to other planets...?

Question

Why are we traveling to other planets when we haven't even discovered everything on our own planet?

Answer 1

The universe around us provides us with an opportunity to study the physical properties of materials on a far cheaper cost then would be possible if we were to try to reproduce those natural conditions in a lab here on Earth. No matter where we go, or where we look, the basic natural laws of physics apply. Where else can we explore what happens to basic elements under zero gravity, or at temperatures ranging from absolute zero to millions of degrees C.

It also allows us to view not only a specific natural condition, but also the effects of those conditions over an extreme period of time. It is impractical to set up an experiment that runs for thousands of years; but, in space exploration we can find places that will show the results, and the periodic phases, of that experiment simply by looking at various targets at various distances.

For countless centuries man looked up at the skies and admired the flight of birds. We didn't know how to fly ourselves, but we could certainly see that it was possible, and many tried and failed to find a solution before we finally suceeded. If we can be so inspired by watching a bird in flight, then imagine what can come to be if we can learn to directly harness the fusion power generating systems of stars, or discover new techniques for making material lighter, stronger, purer, or more durable.

There is alot to be gained from space exploration. Much of it can be done from Earth, or remotely; but, sometimes it pays to send in our most versital equipment; an Astronaut can do what no machinery can yet do. Ultimately, going to space may be the best way to discover new and interesting things about ourselves and our planet. Medicine did not advance by studying everything about a single patient; it advanced by looking at countless patients and countless possible cures; and, developing those which seemed to have the best potential. That is essentially what space exploration is begining to do today. It is about looking at other planets in order to learn more about our own. Let's do our best to encourage it.

Answer 2

I don't think that overpopulation is the answer. if we all spread out a bit we'd each have about 8 square miles of land to live on. The problem with the large population is that they cluster together in masses, are undereducated and don't care about the world around them enough.

But...

About exploring other worlds. The answer is mainly "Because we can". It's the same reason we explore here on Earth. We want to know everything and we are able to go look for it. We have the technology available to send probes to other planets looking for new things so we do it.

Answer 3

it is possible that in the future we could set up "factories" in space to harvest resources from other planets. right now it is not feasible to do anything like that. but we are looking for new materials and new sources for enrgy.
we also want to find out more about the other planets in order to verify our current ideas and discover new ones.
I don't think we should send any people to other planets, it's too dangerous.
with our current technology we could never dream of any type colonies in space, or try to travel to some planet in the Milky Way looking for life - any such planet is way tooooo far away.
I wish we could shoot our nuclear and toxic waste deepinto space

Answer 4

Curiosity killed the cat.
Curiosity will most likely kill off quite a few of us, too.
It is curiosity and thirst for knowledge that drives us... And it's imprinted in our DNA.
Why do we ask why?
Why do we ask how? When? Where? How much?

That's why we go to other planets... Curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
It's OK that we don't know everything about our place even here, on our home planet.
We'll learn it, someday.
It's OK that we don't know everything about everything or everybody.
We'll get by.
We always have, and we always will.
That's what makes us human, after all.

Answer 5

A manned flight to another planet is a ridiculous waste of resources. We know that no planet in this solar system is inhabitable. We know that the nearest solar system to this one is several light years away. We aren't going to make it there without building a biosphere, and once we've done that we can just live in artifical biospheres. What we really need to do is get control over ourselves on this planet. A replacement will be impossible to find. If we don't start controlling ourselves nature will take care of the job for us.

Answer 6

There are over 6 billion people on Earth. Even with the small proportion of that who enter a career in science, that's still a lot of scientists. I think we have our bases covered.

Besides, studying worlds beyond our own sheds light on our own existence.

Answer 7

Long-term, because spreading to other planets gives us an insurance policy. If something bad happens to Earth, the colonies on the other planets will survive.

Answer 8

Because we're running out of room to live on this one. Unless technology can find another great advancement in production of food and energy, then we're going to max out the Earth within a few generations.

Either we find somewhere else to live, or else we're going to see things like "reproduction licenses" and all of that sort of unpleasantness.

I think there're enough of us to explore our own planet AND others all at the same time. It's not like Jacques Cousteau quit diving when they landed Viking on Mars.....

Answer 9

Because NASA is not overly concerned with the oceans. Or the land on this planet. It's interested in other planets. And how they may someday be of use to us.

Should we just stop all of science until we fix our other problems? And art, music, literature?

Answer 10

Why are you leaving your own home when you haven't even discovered everything in your own back yard?