Space exploration has always been a multifaceted and demanding endeavor, and with such a diverse area of research comes a myriad of issues and concerns. Since the years of the Cold War, the issues with space exploration have only grown to the point that finding a few key areas to prioritize becomes a difficulty for some.
For something as research and technology intensive as space exploration, having stable and large funding, preferably from the government, is a must. Recent years have seen numerous government cuts in federally funded programs, particularly science programs like NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Based on 2006 estimates on federal spending, approximately 6% of the federal dollar goes to a subsection of agencies and groups, varying from community development to international affairs to space and technology (Chamberlain).The funding that space and technology receives is incredibly small in comparison to other aspects of government spending, such as education and military. Much of the funding for space and technology is …show more content…
“The goal is not to develop new technologies for technology’s sake, but to develop technologies to drastically decrease the cost of reaching orbit” (Coopersmith). The idea of making something cheaper appeals to the cheapskate found in everyone (even billionaires) when the baseline costs round off to about several hundred million dollars per mission. When space agencies provide valid results and progress, more funding and support is to be expected in anticipation of more results in the same direction. “Manned space exploration is the path to how we build a better life for ourselves here on Earth, and how we can give hope and provide inspiration for our youngsters…” (Livingston). Space transcends the boundaries of generations and is something that is much larger than the here and
For something as research and technology intensive as space exploration, having stable and large funding, preferably from the government, is a must. Recent years have seen numerous government cuts in federally funded programs, particularly science programs like NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Based on 2006 estimates on federal spending, approximately 6% of the federal dollar goes to a subsection of agencies and groups, varying from community development to international affairs to space and technology (Chamberlain).The funding that space and technology receives is incredibly small in comparison to other aspects of government spending, such as education and military. Much of the funding for space and technology is …show more content…
“The goal is not to develop new technologies for technology’s sake, but to develop technologies to drastically decrease the cost of reaching orbit” (Coopersmith). The idea of making something cheaper appeals to the cheapskate found in everyone (even billionaires) when the baseline costs round off to about several hundred million dollars per mission. When space agencies provide valid results and progress, more funding and support is to be expected in anticipation of more results in the same direction. “Manned space exploration is the path to how we build a better life for ourselves here on Earth, and how we can give hope and provide inspiration for our youngsters…” (Livingston). Space transcends the boundaries of generations and is something that is much larger than the here and