Moreover, these discoveries help us unravel the mysteries of the universes formation and evolution by studying phenomena such as dark matter and energy. Those most attentive to space news stand out from other Americans for their strong support for the U.S. being a world leader in space exploration and their belief that the International Space Station has been a good investment for the country. You can unsubscribe at any time. The case for international cooperation varies between nations, depending on their needs. April 30, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-main-reasons-for-space-exploration/. Space Exploration and U.S. Competitiveness - Council on Foreign Relations Our daily newsletter arrives just in time for lunch, offering up the day's biggest science news, our latest features, amazing Q&As and insightful interviews. Add to that the icy cold airless vacuum, the need to bring all your own food and water, plus the effects of long-duration weightlessness on bone density, the brain and muscular condition including that of the heart and it soon becomes clear that venturing into space really isnt for the faint-hearted. IvyPanda. It is an opportunity to explore something new. Some 38% of Republicans and those who lean to the GOP consider this a top priority for NASA, while 46% call it an important but lower priority. Discover our latest special editions covering a range of fascinating topics from the latest scientific discoveries to the big ideas explained. Addressing global challenges: Many challenges related to space exploration, such as space debris and responsible use of space resources, require a coordinated global effort to address effectively. Travelling to space is very risky because of uncertainties and mechanical errors. It was these super-missiles that formed the basis for the space programmes of both post-war superpowers. Our planet faces numerous threats, from natural disasters such as asteroid impacts and supervolcanic eruptions to man-made issues like climate change and nuclear war. increasingly poses a hazard to orbiting satellites and space stations. Its already happening that is, assuming your pockets are deep enough. That future didn't arrive as planned. How does space exploration contribute to environmental research and climate change understanding? But even the development of space travel technology itself can lead to unintended yet beneficial spin-off technologies with some very down-to-earth applications. What Does Space Do for Us? Studies regarding the evolution of the universe can furnish information about the origin of the earth (Scott 66). Only 13% of U.S. adults have a great deal of confidence that companies will minimize that problem, with 35% saying they have a fair amount of confidence. Hearing about new discoveries and seeing images from distant planets can foster a sense of wonder and curiosity in children. Need a custom essay sample written from scratch by Why We Should Continue Space Exploration - Edubirdie For example, it could lead to the discovery of a new alien nation to be represented in the United Nations, or another tribe/nation of humans for us to connect with on a new Earth, or maybe one that is in need of our aid for creating a better government with freer rights. outer space and that military activities on Earth will continue to be dependent on space-based technologies. Science Explainer Why we explore Marsand what decades of missions have revealed In the 1960s, humans set out to discover what the red planet has to teach us. 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About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. On the other hand, the need for advanced means of communication has led to development of communication technologies that have increased global communication. Space exploration - Astronauts, Human Spaceflight, and Space Sickness Out of this World: 5 Reasons Why Space Exploration is Important For instance, they are used to manufacture water filtration systems and wireless electric switches. In 2019, China's Change 4 mission marked the beginning of a new space race to conquer the Moon, signalling their intent to build a permanent lunar base, while the NASA Artemis mission plans to build a space station, called Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, providing a platform to ferry astronauts to the Moon's surface. Among the most attentive, 55% say it is essential that NASA continue to be involved in U.S. space exploration, while 45% say private companies will ensure enough progress even without NASAs involvement. Acting proactively in this regard bolsters our defense capabilities, and various options are being explored, such as: It is crucial that we advance our capabilities in both monitoring and mitigation as part of an effective planetary defense strategy to ensure the safety of Earth and its inhabitants. It carries significant risks including radiation, extreme temperatures, and high-speed impacts. Space exploration also instils a sense of wonder, it reminds us that there are issues beyond our humdrum planet and its petty squabbles, and without doubt it helps to inspire each new generation of young scientists. (Also see Appendix for views on these issues by gender.). A number of people have come to agree with this fact, and in 2013 applications to live on Mars began. Our robotic emissaries have landed on Mars, witnessed the breathtaking geysers of Enceladus, and sailed past the farthest reaches of our solar neighborhood. Faster-than-light travel may be possible one day, but is unlikely to become a reality in our lifetimes. The Main Reasons for Space Exploration. In addition, space exploration programs are funded using taxpayers money. Republicans and Democrats tend to agree about the relative priorities of NASAs efforts. And by the time the last Apollo mission was flown ( Apollo 17, in 1972), the program had cost a pretty penny. So, even though the costs seem pretty high, in reality they are only a minuscule fraction of what a country spends. For instance, space tourism, satellite radios, and navigation systems are sources of income. This finding is in keeping with a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, which used somewhat different question wording and polling methods. About a fifth of Americans (22%) have heard nothing at all about both of these while most Americans (71%) fall in between these two extremes, having heard at least a little either about NASA or about private companies developing space exploration capabilities.2. NASA - The Importance of Exploration A slew of robotic spaceflights followed, from both sides of the Atlantic, before Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin piloted Vostok 1 into orbit on 12 April 1961, to become the first human being in space. Why Outer Space Matters for National and International Security Furthermore, interest in space travel attracts more people to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, equipping our society with skilled professionals to propel us toward a future full of technological advancements. Curiosity has contributed significantly to the evolution of the human species. Its only gotten worse, unless we somehow turn this around and make life on earth more sustainable, leaving earth in the future is the most viable option. Loading Preview. Cons of going to space include high costs, high risk, and possible cause of conflicts between nations (Gifford 35). endstream endobj 1283 0 obj <. At the time, exploration did not involve humans but cosmic radiation. So, lets discuss the importance of space exploration. As we push the boundaries of space exploration, advancements in technology and knowledge happen at an unprecedented rate. Human health risks: Long-duration space missions, such as those to Mars, pose significant health risks to astronauts, including exposure to radiation, muscle and bone loss, and psychological stress. Gifford, Clive. Thats why we should all promote space exploration. Sixty years after the founding of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), most Americans believe the United States should be at the forefront of global leadership in space exploration. Establishing a human presence on the Moon would allow us to: Similarly, colonizing Mars would enable us to: Beyond the scientific and economic potential of space colonization, the long-term survival of humanity may well depend on our ability to establish settlements beyond Earth. Men also tend to express more interest in space and astronomy news, according to a 2017 Pew Research Center survey as well as surveys conducted for this years Science and Engineering Indicators report. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Is It Worth It? The Costs and Benefits of Space Exploration (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax For Educators | For Students | For Media Beyond Earth Expanding Human Presence Into the Solar System Why We Explore Human Space Exploration Humanity's interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Also, we could find planets that are empty, on which we could perform potentially harmful new science experiments with no casualties. It is an often-asked and serious question that requires a serious answer. Curiosity is the embryo of all sciences; without it, there would be no biology or medicine, chemistry or physics, or any other branch of science. Your email address will not be published. But Republicans tend to put monitoring the Earths climate system as a lower priority for the agency, consistent with long-standing political divides over climate issues. The feat was achieved through the Mercury-Redstone 3 spaceflight (Morris 48). Never published series of narratives on reasons for exploring space and for the International Space Station. These expenditures dont just get lost in thin air, there is an actual benefit to space research. In-situ resource utilization (ISRU): This involves utilizing local resources found on celestial bodies, such as water and minerals, to support space missions, reducing the need to transport supplies from Earth. It also helps us understand our place in the universe and more about the universe. The next giant leaps: The UK missions getting us to the Moon, Move over, Mars: why we should look further afield for future human colonies, Everything you need to know about the Voyager mission, 6 out-of-this-world experiments recreating space on Earth, first private company to launch a human crew to Earth orbit. Space exploration is foundational to climate science because it provides us with more information about the Earth, our solar system and the role of gases in our atmosphere, and nuclear energy has played an important role powering our missions into space.