U.S. Federal government support of space exploration is NOT the most effective way to engage in scientific discovery
Though much advancement has been made in this regard, there is so much yet unrevealed. The question of concern is whether it is worth investing in space exploration or is it a simple waste of tax-payers money The objective is to answer this question by providing enough evidence to support the U.S. Federal governments space exploration program. This paper will dwell on the many reasons as to why U.S. Federal government support of space exploration is not the most effective way to engage in scientific discovery. We intend to prove that there are other, more efficient ways to engage in scientific discovery rather than space exploration. Through the analysis of arguments for and against this cause, towards the end, I will give a conclusion not based on my own opinions but on the authenticity and credibility of the arguments.
Arguments For Space Exploration
As said by Frank Borman Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit. Until human beings explore and find out what is beyond, there is seldom satisfaction on part of them. To reach the maximum potential of being a man, it is therefore necessary to unveil and discover the life, which exist far beyond the world we live in. This saying by Frank Borman fits best when we discuss the U.S. Space Exploration program. Historically, this program has been inspirational for many people across the globe. At the same time, it is been heavily criticized for being the most expensive research project. Although Bush administration and the current government is ardent supporter of the program, previously NASA has failed to produce the best possible outcome because of lack proper funding and appropriate leadership. The new Obama regime has intended to establish a balanced civilian space program and by law has made NASA accountable for all its actions. Government interest in space exploration has a political reason but we should analyze the impact of space exploration on the lives of ordinary people. The arguments in favor of this study are been misrepresented because of understudy on the topic. If we analyze the benefits of space exploration, we come across the following ideas
Medicine and Space Exploration
Most advancement has been made in the area of medicine. A lot of diseases can be prevented and cured thanks to the space exploration program. Cure of many diseases can be found only if we experiment in zero gravity vacuum and this is only possible outside our planet. A number of diseases which have been cured include Sudden Death Infant Syndrome (SDIS) more commonly known as cot. In U.K. every 4 out of 10,000 children of age less than six months die due to this disease. This disease was cured by designing special type of baby pajamas based on space technology. These special pajamas are called Mamagoose pajamas which have special sensors which are built into the cloth and thus they do not cause any discomfort to the baby. Space technology has provided with various solutions like alloy teeth which are flexi teeth which can retain their shape and strength for a long time. Astrium and RAL scientists have developed technology which helps in the diagnosis of diseases. Satellite imaging helps in preventing strokes. So we can say that a lot of advancements have been made in medicine. These advancements are not just specific to human beings but are also helpful to animals like the Space pumps developed by by Brunel Institute of Bioengineering in the UK has helped in improving the lives of giant female pandas. The pump worked perfectly, and helped in making the lives of pandas better. For the society as a whole space exploration has resulted in advancements regarding Human waste management. This will help us in managing the waste and sewerage and will improve the lives of all the life forms existing on this planet.
Help In Maintaining Healthy Nature
A second argument which can be put forth is that space exploration will lead to the improvement of healthy nature of the surrounding environment. This can be done through the identification of highly populated areas in the world, which are utilizing most of the worlds resources, If we continue with space exploration, it is very likely that we will find life outside earth and only then we can relocate people and colonize other areas outside our world. This idea was originated in one of the movies Space Exploration by John Carter McKnight. This idea of finding out life outside earth and building up human-friendly colonies can offer a chance to the world population to grow out and will add to the economic and social well being. Secondly, a lot of expense which we incur on social marketing like population control can be curtailed and invested in further research and development in various fields.
Cost Per Person Is Extremely Low
Space exploration should not be viewed as a cost rather it should be considered as an investment. People who argue that NASAs budget is very high and it is a waste of tax payers money should not forget the fact that NASAs annual budget is even less than 1 of the federal budget of U.S. If we divide this cost with the population of the country, we can say that cost per day per person on space exploration is almost 15 cents. On the other hand, if we compare this with the benefits, we can safely say that the benefits far outweigh the cost. Advances in space exploration have created numerous industries and has provided millions of jobs. If we want that US continues to be a healthy economy, we should continue to invest in space exploration and research.
Beneficial For The Elimination Of World Hunger
One of the basic problems, which we come across everyday, is food shortage. We see the pictures of hunger and poverty stricken people largely in third world countries. This is a valid argument which is brought forward when we are supporting space exploration. One of the researchers mentioned in his researches that large areas of land can be far better utilized if we use efficient and more sophisticated plantation programs and weather forecasting techniques. The best tool for these improvements is the artificial earth satellite. Revolving around worlds orbit, this can be used to screen wide areas of land and can measure large variety of factors like humidity, temperature, rain fall etc. It can not only forecast current weather patterns but can also be used to monitor crop and forecast conditions for later farming plans.
Saves the World from external attacks
In our galaxy, there is constant breakdown of meteors, asteroids and comets. As a result, our world is in a constant threat from external factors which are beyond our control. There is a general belief that the end of dinosaurs was due to one such impact. Undoubtedly, the world will suffer from one such collision but the question of concern is when The major role of cosmic impact cannot be ignored and it is understood that it is going to be a very lethal impact. Space exploration will help us identify the asteroids which are in our galaxy and will also take measures to deviate them away from earth. If we stop this program, it can be said that one missed object, unseen, can destroy all life forms of earth.
Counter Arguments
Now that we have analyzed the arguments in favor of space exploration, it is easy for us to provide counter arguments, the facts which will prove that space exploration is not the most effective way to engage in scientific discovery.
Waste of Scarce Resources
One of the most important arguments we come across is that space exploration programs are a waste of the scarce resources we possess. It is often argued that rather than finding new resources, we should conserve what we already possess. The critics claim that if we are searching resources, which are depleting on our planet, in outer space, it is simply expensive and worthless. If we consider this argument against space exploration in detail, the critics argue that the only alternative to space exploration is reduction in birth rates. As they give, the examples of the developed nations like Japan and Europe as they have curtailed their birth rates largely. As claimed by the proponent, if we conserve what we already possess, we will not need any further advancement outside space.
Results in lower return on investment
In U.S. economies, the major drivers are the governmental agencies and they work for the betterment of the citizens. There are certain programs, which provide tangible benefit to the people directly like building parks and museums or hospitals. Other projects like space exploration do not provide or result in tangible output. This is the reason why it is very difficult measure the return on investment on such project. Critics argue that if the resources spent on space exploration are utilized for the betterment of our own planet, then the world can become an improved place to live. It is also argued that if this money is spent on investments like particle accelerator and nuclear fusion then the return on investment is going to be much higher than the return on investment on space exploration.
Technological Advancements
Some people claim that space exploration has led to major medical and technological advancements. However, they forget the fact that major technological breakthrough were performed on earth. Finding the cure of a disease which affects only 4 out of every 10,000 children in outer space is not worth all the cost which is incurred. They should consider that technological transformation began on earth with the invention of wheel. Human beings continue to grow and prosper on earth because this was the place which was best suited to their needs. This is the reason why, human beings continued their scientific discoveries on earth. Creation of electricity, discovery of sub-atomic particles, radioactive machinery, information theory were all done on earth. These discoveries helped in finding the cure of diseases like cancer and have helped in diagnosis of various diseases which were left undiagnosed previously. In fact man has made more discoveries on earth rather than in space which shows that earth is a better place for conducting experiments.
Earth is the best place to live
Some people claim that which the advancements in space research, we can shift human beings to other planets. This is an extremely bogus claim as life has not yet being explored on any other planet outside earth. Even if we continue our space research and discover life, it is very unrealistic to shift people to another planet. If we analyze this argument in religious terms, God has created life on earth for a reason. Had there being life on other planets, God would not have send us on earth in first place.
Unexplored Earth
People talk about exploring outer space and do not consider the fact that there is so much on earth which is yet to be explored. If we look at the sea, which comprises of 70 of the earth, there is so much left unrevealed. Only 5 of sea has being explored and the remaining 95 is left unexplored. Isnt it important to search out what is in our waters rather than going outside the world in order to search for water The resources which we are spending on space exploration can be better utilized if we spend them on the discovery of the oceans.
Undoubtedly space exploration has various benefits just like the satellites which enables us to access information 247 from any where on earth. It also helps in identifying external attacks however, it should be considered that the search for space began form earth when people found and discovered the marks of meteors and asteroids. Though space exploration is helpful in finding the cure of many diseases but it is not the most effective way. There is so much left on earth which is yet unexplored, therefore, scientists should first explore the earth rather than exploring outer space.
Categories:
0 comments:
Post a Comment