On October 4th, 1957 the Soviet satellite Sputnik launched the age of space exploration. The Soviet Union was racing against the United States to seek advancements in their technology and be able to claim the victory title. The accomplishments attained by all participants marked the first steps in exploration, advancement in human scientific achievement, and a growth in the understanding of the universe. With each space exploration mission completed we make significant innovations and technological progressions that can be applied to many other areas other than just space.
From the beginning of time humans have been compelled to explore newfound, unknown lands. The same incentives put a man on the moon as they did to bring men to explore new …show more content…
Satellites orbit the earth allowing instant communication, prediction of the weather, and GPS’s for location. Harnessing solar energy is possible from our knowledge of the sun and its heat. Without the space program innovation at such a rapid rate might not be possible, in fact it might even lead to a loss or halt of innovation and technology. Individuals are willing to work hard for an advanced education so they can better the lives of others and increase our understanding of the universe around …show more content…
In the year 2015 the United States space program, NASA, had a budget of 17.6 billion dollars (Martin). Although this amount accounts for less than one percent of the government budget, it is still debated if the money should be spent on other uses rather than space travel and exploration. As space travel requires advanced technology and a higher education it proves to be quite costly. One of the justifications behind cutting back on space travel is that it does not profit individuals in the public. It is argued that spending money on space programs is not right when it could be spent on underdeveloped nations and poverty. The answer to the question of whether benefits outweigh the costs of space exploration is not so straightforward as it would seem. While it does cost a considerable amount of money it also provides thousands of jobs and encourages the study of the field of science and engineering. Without this specific field of science and engineering the economy could be effected in a negative way from to the loss of so many
From the beginning of time humans have been compelled to explore newfound, unknown lands. The same incentives put a man on the moon as they did to bring men to explore new …show more content…
Satellites orbit the earth allowing instant communication, prediction of the weather, and GPS’s for location. Harnessing solar energy is possible from our knowledge of the sun and its heat. Without the space program innovation at such a rapid rate might not be possible, in fact it might even lead to a loss or halt of innovation and technology. Individuals are willing to work hard for an advanced education so they can better the lives of others and increase our understanding of the universe around …show more content…
In the year 2015 the United States space program, NASA, had a budget of 17.6 billion dollars (Martin). Although this amount accounts for less than one percent of the government budget, it is still debated if the money should be spent on other uses rather than space travel and exploration. As space travel requires advanced technology and a higher education it proves to be quite costly. One of the justifications behind cutting back on space travel is that it does not profit individuals in the public. It is argued that spending money on space programs is not right when it could be spent on underdeveloped nations and poverty. The answer to the question of whether benefits outweigh the costs of space exploration is not so straightforward as it would seem. While it does cost a considerable amount of money it also provides thousands of jobs and encourages the study of the field of science and engineering. Without this specific field of science and engineering the economy could be effected in a negative way from to the loss of so many