What are the pros and cons on space exploration?

Answer 1

Although NASA has a budget of $15.5 billion per year, only about $4 billion of that is spent on space exploration, less than 1 percent of the overall federal budget.

*Pros*

Spending on space exploration stimulates research in many fields, helps to sustain very high tech American companies, and provides inspiration to many people. Space offers an alternative to continuing to degrade the Earth in search of essential resources, such as copper. We have learned a great deal about the Earth with the use of satellites, including studying the weather.

*Cons*

Long term exposure to weightlessness is bad because of loss of muscle mass and softening of bones. Radiation can be very dangerous during solar storms. Much research carried out in space has no practical value.

*Pros*

· Satellites are a huge investments, as you can plot the weather, and actually see inside of Hurricanes and Doppler radar

· We learn more about the exact sciences (i.e. chemistry, physics, and Biology.

· Earths has a fast growing population and we will need an outlet soon.

*Cons*

· It costs billions of dollars every year to fund the projects of space science

· Sending people into space risks human lives.

Answer 2

Exploring space can allow us more knowledge of the area around us and lead to many scientific discoveries. It is also expensive and can contribute to accidents and loss of life if things go wrong.

Answer 3

Orignal Answer (Con)

Why spend billions of dollars on sending missions into space when there are issues on Earth that need to be addressed, like crime, poverty, the national debt, terrorism, the economy, and the environment? There is a definite concern that money is being wasted in space, and the apprehension deals with the spending priorities of the government. A typical shuttle mission can cost between $400 million and $500 million, and to complete and launch a satellite could cost around $20 million.

With all of this funding required, many missions, such as the Galileo spacecraft, end up crashing into their intended subjects or simply flying out into deep space to become space junk. During the Galileo mission, the radioactive environment caused the gradual degradation of the instruments onboard the spacecraft, and eventually led to their failure.

The cost of the space program is not only paid in money either; the lives of many astronauts are at stake during manned missions. No one can forget the tragedies that occurred with accidents involving the Challenger and the Columbia shuttles, which caused the deaths of fourteen crewmembers in total. Currently, the risks of manned spaceflights are only increasing as budgets are being cut back and safety and quality-assurance programs are trimmed bac

New Answer (Pro):

Space exploration serves as a vehicle for innovation by exposing engineered technologies and humans to unique situations and environments. It is easy to Nay Say the missions, and ask what worth is derived. However, the impact on humanity is immense.

Studies suggest that for every $1.00 spent on the Apollo program, as much as $7.00 was returned to the US economy. The Apollo program alone contributed to advances in welding, Metallurgy, electronics, food, medical technologies, radio telemetry, and others. The first Semiconductors and integrated chips were (the very heart of our technical world) was used here. As was the first practical computers. Some spin off technologies are the MRI, dried food, etc. Velcro was created specifically for the Apollo program. Furthermore, the material used in temperpedic mattresses was first developed to cushion Mercury Astronauts during splash down. Fuel Cells, were first used in Gemini space craft and are now being used in limited uses in cars, and more prominently in buildings as alternative power sources.

Also, modern GPS systems, digital television, the internet, and weather forecasting are all products of the space program. We cannot live a single day without feeling the impacts of space. Contrary to what is claimed above, Space has played a significant role in solving many of Earths problems.

Answer 4

Pros: You get to go to space, understand the universe...

Cons: a lot of training such as spin around and around in cricles

Youll be a great astronaut