Space Exploration

Although many benefits may result from space exploration the costs involved are enormous. There is some debate as to whether this money could be more wisely spent to provide for the basic needs of mankind such as food, clean water, and contraception. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

With all the troubles in the world today, money spent on space exploration is a complete waste. The money could be better spent on other things. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is true that vast amounts are spent on space exploration for apparently little gain whilst people suffer from terrible poverty around the world.

There are several reasons for spending a significant amount of the government budget on space exploration. First and foremost, our planet is now facing an unprecedented level of resource problem, which can be grappled only by discovering and mining new resources on other planets. The overuse and dearth of some resources on the Earth is very serious and may eventually be depleted, as industrial production expands. These metals and other natural resources, although rare on Earth, might abound on other planets. In that case, conducting space research is a promising adventure. Moreover, space exploration has brought about substantial benefits to the world that we would not have thought possible in the not too distant past. Nowadays electric lights have replaced the traditional oil lamps, and computers enable us to make quicker and more accurate calculations. The television brings the family together in the evening. Supporters of space programmes also point out that it is in human nature to strive to discover the unknown and that we can progress in all ways by unlocking the secrets of the stars.

On the other hand, how can we as human beings justify the billions of dollars spent into space so we can create light-weight robots that we could send to the moon for planetary exploration whilst millions of people around the world are dying of disease and famine? With the money spent on space exploration, wells could be dug, farmland could be developed, medicine could be bought, schools and colleges could be built, and teachers, doctors and nurses could be trained. Even if we could justify money on exploration, would not it be better to spend the money on exploring the sea on our own planet that could offer enough food to provide for the entire world?