When America looked up to the skies
in 1969 they did not simply see a vast expanse of unreachable and untouchable
blue – for the first time in human history they saw something that they could
reach out and touch. Human limits suddenly became breakable; if it is possible
to overcome everything we have ever known about out physical world and put a
man on the moon, then what could the human race not do? That one image of Neil
Armstrong inspired a generation of Americans, in both practical and
psychological realms. It motivated Americans to apply themselves to math and
science, to further technology, and to create a precedent for international
cooperation and collaboration. These consequences are vital to the evolution of
society and technology, for this reason, space exploration must continue.
Although people often incorrectly cite that NASA is sucking funds that need to
be used for “real world issues”, these funds represent the best investment that
America – and the world – can make in her future.
The
quickest claim that anti-space exploration advocates will jump on is that it is
unnecessary cost. They reach for the highest statistic that they can find in
order to shock the public into agreeing with them. But, put in context, the
amount of government funds dedicated to NASA is relatively miniscule. In 2006,
the government estimated that only a fraction of .06 cents for every dollar of
government spending was actually spent of space research (Source C). This small
amount that is spent is actually vital to the economy – in fact it is one of
the best investments America can make. David Livingston, in “Is Space
Exploration worth the Cost?” explains only some of the everyday benefits for
space exploration, “The money that is spent goes to manufacturing, research and
development, salaries, benefits, insurance companies, doctors, teachers,
scientists, students, blue- and white-collar workers, and corporations and businesses
both large and small.”(Source A). These funds are so well dispersed into the
economy that they touch every citizen in some way.
Not only is the direct economic benefit relevant to
American life, but it has a profound effect on the American psyche. The space
race with Russia during the 1960’s caused an increased focus on mathematics and
science in American education. Calculus began to be part of the standard
mathematics track, in an attempt to get more students who would one day be able
to be “rocket scientists.” Additionally, this renewed focus on technology meant
that young kids had new heroes in physicists and astronauts like Neil Armstrong
and Buzz Aldrin. Suddenly academic stars, not just sports stars, were cool. As
David Livingston articulates, “We can
give hope and provide inspiration for our youngsters to grow up, do the
schoolwork, and accept the challenges that await them to make our world even
better.”
Space exploration is
not just good for internal American affairs, but for the international
community at large. By working together for a larger goal, to better understand
our universe, the international community can be strengthened. As we move on
from putting a man on the moon, the race has become a relay. International
cooperation is now the future of space exploration, as evidenced by the success
of the international space station. And perhaps more importantly, space
exploration could create a stronger push for peace over war when viewing
international politics. Viewed from space, the political boundaries and walls
that we as nations put up become meaningless (Source E). We all share the
earth, and space exploration is the strongest reminder of that.
It
is all to easy to push aside space exploration as a waste of money, and forget
about it in the face of escalating national debt. But this is a mistake.
Investing in space technologies is the strongest way to insure a bright future
for America and the earth as a whole. While it is not an immediate payoff, the
benefits of this investment pay out decades into the future. The increased childhood
focus on education and increased peace among nations are only a few of the
critical outcomes to space exploration. As citizens of the earth, we should not
look at space as a luxury for times of financial success, but as a critical
step for a future of financial
success.
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