Exploration: Outer space or our Planet?

Question

There was a question that came up in the debate last ight about exploration to Mars. Don't you think that we should be more concerned with trying to explore more of our own planet before exploring someone else's. In defense of Hillary regarding what Huckabee said:

She should be sent to the bottom of the oceans to explore
rather than Mars. This way if she is needed to vote on a crucial issue in Congess we can instantly get in contact with her. Huckabee had one illogical lapse of judgement with what he said, Hillary will only go to Mars provided she can still make life miserable for conservatives from there.

If we go and explore Mars and screw it up, will there be Martians that come here and screw our country like in"War of the Wolds"

It will definitely be colder on Mars that it is here, so I would never want to go. I prefer warmth to cold. That's why i live in the South.

Let's give China the opportunity to be the first o explore Mars. That way they will be so busy trying to put money into this they will not have time to screw our country.

Are you saying that by U.S. going to Mars, more kids will start paying attention in sceince now. Oops, I forgot, to be real good in science. one also has to do real well in math, definitely not a strong point for US.

There are definitely many things US could explore have it not been for all the money we have been shoveling into Iraq situation.

The only reason we got into the Space exploration thing in the first place is becuase of Sputnik

I wish we could explore both, but sigh ,we have not the money to be able to do both and keep our military prescence in Iraq, let alone our prescence all over the world.

Answer 1

By most estimates the cost of a manned mission to Mars would be about $30-$50 Billion Dollars. We could have gone to Mars 200x for the money we have already spent in Iraq.

Answer 2

I strongly favor the space program. It is a new frontier for us and serves several purposes. First, it brings us new technology. I guess we can all thank Outer Space for our microwaves, our GPS systems and a lot of other gadgets.

Secondly, it will eventually bring us some answers about our universe, answers that are needed about other galaxies, etc. And last but not least, it could conceivably save the human race. If annihilation from some cause or other threatens, imagine spacecraft like airplanes or buses, ready to be filled with people intent upon escaping a doomed planet to live on the new one, hopefully together and without wars.

Do you think this is nonsensical Science Fiction? I don't think so. Better to put our money in the space program than waste it in Iraq. We should explore the ocean depths, too, by the way, because we don't know what secrets await us.

Isn't it great to have exciting frontiers? Along with the mysteries of Genetics and greater knowledge in health and happiness, exploration of the unknown is of primary importance, regardless of cost.

Answer 3

I have nothing against exploration that might further technology, but I don't have a clue where they think they're going to get the money considering the Bush deficit. Personally, I'm not worried about what Huckabee said about Hillary because he couldn't beat her in a local Dog Catcher election. They want to send Hillary to Mars?? You'd think with their lack of knowledge of what the American really want that they were from Mars.

Answer 4

The United States doesn't lead the world in scientific research and innovation for nothing. For us to set limits on what we will explore or what we will endeavor from here on out to learn is so short-sighted it's unbelievable.

Every society in history that has stopped expanding, either militarily, economically, or intellectually, has fallen. When you think that you've grown enough, or done enough, or have learned everything that's worth knowing, you're someone else's lunch. Someone else will always be coming up behind you with a better idea, and if you don't stay in front of that, you can join all of the other failed civilizations on the ashheap of history.

What the United States spends on research through NASA, NIH and NSF is a drop in the bucket compared to what we spend on So-So Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Defense, etc. and it's frankly an insult to this great nation that we short-shift scientific development so much. The benefits we have received from basic research are immeasurable, and we need to continue to fund basic research and expand its funding as much as is feasibly possible. If there ever was an area where "promote the general welfare" was applicable, this is it.

I hate it when people like Tom Tancredo sit there and say "We can't spend money on this; we have too many other problems to worry about." Sorry, Mr. Tancredo, but you're an idiot. I'm as conservative as he is, if not more so fiscally, but to say that we need to save money by cutting funding for NASA is about as dumb as you can get.

"Let's not worry about tomorrow's problems when we can't solve today's." Well, hate to break it to you, but tomorrow's already here. If you're not prepared for its challenges, then you've become yesterday's news.

Answer 5

I was going to say explore the oceans even before I read that part of your paragraph. There already has been more money spent on exploring mars than exploring the oceans. Scientist hope to find new species that may contain biological cures for diseases. It is called by scientist the Earth's final frontier.

Where's the logic?

Answer 6

I believe space exploration will be a great stimulus to science and technology. This does NOT preclude deep sea research at all. In fact, both are compatible with an overall goal of improving knowledge and technological growth.

Answer 7

Space is the final frontier. The space between the ears of reactionaries that is causing them to support political causes that enable two per cent to own most global wealth as one in five human deaths is being caused by mass starvation or drinking polluted water and most of the people on earth are trying to get by on less than $2.15 a day and one-third of humanity is anemic. http://un.org/News/briefings/docs/2006/061205_Household_Wealth.doc.htm

Answer 8

both - but it should not be govt funded unless it is to provide sercurity and defense for americans -other wise it should be paid for by corporate entities who would benefit most from the discoveries made -like pharmaceutical companies exploring the medical benefits for plants - corporations looking for addtl sources of commodites like metals -minerals -fossil fuel etc

Answer 9

Why must it be one or the other? I would like to see us explore our deep oceans, Antarctica and Outer Space.

Answer 10

I wouldnt mind going to outer space i think it would be great fun , but i think we should look after our planet there has been a lot of bad damage done to it,