Common rationales for exploring space include advancing scientific research, national prestige, uniting different nations, ensuring the future survival of humanity, and developing military and strategic advantages against other countries. I was a child in the 1960s, a time when many of us believed that someday we would be flying off into the cosmos in search of adventure. SPACE PROGRAM BENEFITS IN INDIA There is no more specific and dramatic example of the impact of space exploration and use on a nation in our world than the example of India[5]. Protecting our planet and our environment Satellites provide data on climate change, measure pollution, and help protect our … According to NASA, typically about once every 10,000 years, a rocky or iron asteroid the size of a football field could smash into our planet's surface and possibly cause tidal waves big enough to inundate coastal areas. While some believe that space travel and research in the field has advantages, there are others who criticize the field for having no real benefit for mankind. Space exploration has long made advancements in science and technology, even in fields that you might not expect, such as medicine. The world already benefits greatly from space technology, especially in terms of communications, positioning services, Earth observation, and economic activity related to government-funded space programs. Farming techniques, food production and the creation of new medicines are … About half of Americans believe that life exists somewhere else in the cosmos, according to a 2013 Huffington Post/YouGov poll. Gao.gov. Researchers developed and successfully tested an ethylene removal system in space, called Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC). 15 Fascinating Facts About Space Exploration. July 29, 2008. Jan. 8, 2013. That's a start, but an even more aggressive space-based effort to look for clues of extraterrestrials might finally help us to answer the question of whether we have company out there. Most of the people involved in its formation understand that they will not live to see the fruits of their labor. "December Test Flight Huge for NASA's Next Manned Spacecraft." Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. The space blanket, which helps people to warm up quickly, was invented by NASA scientists. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs works to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilisation of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. In response to Universe Today’s call for answers, we decided to compile a list of our … (Sept. 14, 2014) http://news.discovery.com/space/this-moon-was-made-for-mining.htm, SpaceRef. "Near Earth Object Program." Why should we keep exploring? When the U.S.S.R. launched Sputnik-l, in October 1957, recall the status of India as a space-faring power. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.space.com/26291-nasa-orion-capsule-test-flight.html, A Year in Isolation: What We Learned From the Latest Mars Simulation, Huge Solar Storms Could Have Kickstarted Life on Earth, It Could Help Answer a Really Big Question, Humans Need to Fulfill Their Urge to Explore, 10 Major Players in the Space Exploration Race, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. But it doesn't have to be that way, as evidenced by the cooperation of multiple nations on the International Space Station. Our primitive ancestors spread from east Africa to all over the planet, and since then, we've never stopped moving. Effects and Benefits of Space Exploration: Past, Present and Future: 10.4018/ijstmi.2012010104: It has been more than half a century since humans first ventured into space. We all know about freeze-dried food, but there are plenty of others. Advocates of space exploration often get asked the question: “Why should we spend money on NASA where there are so many problems here on Earth?” Universe Today has been compiling a list of responses to this question by space-bloggers from across the web. Feb. 21, 2011. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Sept. 8, 2014. "The Real Reasons We Explore Space." While competing in being the first to land on the Moon, they learned to utilize (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/21/alien-poll_n_3473852.html, UNEP. NASA scientists, in an effort to protect astronauts from losing bone and muscle in the microgravity environment of space, also helped a pharmaceutical company to test Prolia, a drug that today helps protect elderly people from osteoporosis. 1 share. The law is the first of its kind by any nation, but how much weight it has is yet to be seen. The Benefits of Space Exploration 2278 Words | 10 Pages. When used in a blanket, it reflects about 80 percent of a user's body heat back to him or her — an ability that helps accident victims and post-marathon runners to stay warm. A very long list of gadgets, materials and processes originally were developed for the U.S. space program but found other applications back on Earth -- so many that NASA has an office that looks for ways to repurpose space technology as products. Most of these appliances were first used in space exploration and then later modified to benefit other people. Sadly, that future hasn't yet arrived. People should continue to pursue this exploration, which could benefit Earth’s environment and mankind. February 2014. So why should we commit ourselves to it? It is true that space exploration has the ability to resolve some of the mysteries that enfold outer space. 390 0 obj <>stream You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. It’s easier to call it the “Outer Space … For one, the hefty costs could be spread around. That's why searchers for extraterrestrial civilizations are eager for the deployment of more orbital observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope. In "The Space Race is Over," Bragg sang of staring at the moon as a child, and dreaming that night of walking on the Sea of Tranquility. Space exploration has already made so many contributions to the environment, the economy, and to human health. I continue to believe that humanity still has a chance to become a truly spacefaring race, and that we must find a way to do so. In the 2000 movie 'Red Planet,' a group of astronauts travel to Mars to investigate human living conditions on the planet. 2. Today, orthodontists equip patients with braces made from the material [source: Independent]. "Innovations Aboard the ISS." A 2006 paper published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, points out the benefits of international cooperation. It helped to keep the plants alive by removing viruses, bacteria and mold from the plant growth chamber. 3. Npr.org. But those who've long dreamed of humans becoming a truly spacefaring race argue that exploring space provides down-to-earth benefits in areas such as health, mining and security. "America Must Retake Lead in Space Exploration." Build your own professional website with wix! And a U.S. space program could allow other countries, large and small, to join in their exploration efforts. The first space station in Earth orbit was the Soviet Salyut 1 station, which was launched in 1971. Space stations marked the next phase of space exploration. That doesn't usually work. "This Moon was Made for Mining (Helium-3)." True space exploration requires international cooperation. March 2014. "50 years, 50 giant leaps: How Nasa rocked our world." For another, it could forge stronger diplomatic ties between nations such as the U.S. and India, and help create new jobs both in both places [source: Broniatowski et al.]. But our burgeoning population, rampant greed and thoughtlessness about environmental consequences have already done pretty severe damage to our planet. "Alien Poll Finds Half Of Americans Think Extraterrestrial Life Exists." %PDF-1.6 %���� At the time of the moon landing in 1969, many people envisioned that by the beginning of the 21st century, space travel would become routine, and we would be visiting other planets in our solar system and perhaps even daring to venture into interstellar space. June 2012. Acceptable reasons would be issues like economic benefit and national security. Nasa.gov. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says space exploration gets people interested in science and related fields. Yet it is through our insatiable desire to continually push the boundaries of knowledge in space that we have made unparalleled advances in research and technology; and ultimately, the future of humanity depends on space exploration research. And more inspirational benefits, too. Benefits of space exploration list. To understand the concept of space exploration, you need to remember that its engineers are playing a lengthy end-game. Better medical equipment. Even if the U.S. privatizes much of space exploration, it still wants to ensure that companies can mine the moon or asteroids without worrying that interlopers will usurp their claims or steal their production [source Minter]. I'm getting the best students in the class.". Space exploration has led to the creation of new and improved medical equipment such as cancer detection devices, small … Mit.edu. March 16, 2011. Exploring space gives us an opportunity to locate these hazards in advance to prepare an encounter that could help to preserve our race.Then there are the interstellar items to consider. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.utexas.edu/know/2014/07/21/anniversary-shows-us-that-nasa-and-space-exploration-are-worth-their-costs/, Government Accountability Office. %%EOF � �I=L[\f�0����Y��9�c���S��&m����pu����n�L`�r�h��(��Dg,�E1�s�Ҍ�4x�����!�=@���= H330���Jd�7���� ` �p�v Charles Mostoller / Barcroft USA / Getty Images, Former NASA administrator Michael Griffin said, "Who among us does not know the wonder and mystery and awe and magic of seeing something ... never seen before?". Scientists believe that exploring space and patterns in space can help give us an idea of the next major flood, tsunami, tornado and even earthquake. h�b```� ,@��1�2��9>�$�X����#N��8�;�_�c��(��^@�R����Ά�Nq �{��D��;>{�j9������5ϣ�}��S}�����P��$^d�h�(q�Rt�p��"WBy$^�@�*t��� 0�ð=r��k#�E�D��K�S�֣�3]�e3f��K����('�=r��k[#��uY!Nʹ�t �(P��#F��H�Iʹ@��S�`���E|�n2�&*�`�hI��0i��@sG`���{ڀ.�S)@l�#�v'GGGSG�n` R�@>�DB� ,���8@�Bp�::��T!��AWŀdG��1��D0�x>iA V�Y(?S � Unep.net. Powerful equipment has been developedto more effectively and efficiently cut people out of car crashes using the same pyrotechnic devices. But it's the real monsters -- asteroids about 100 meters (109 yards) across or bigger-- that we really have to fear. Griffin added that "when we do things for real reasons as opposed to acceptable reasons, we produce our highest achievements.". Cosmos. June 19, 2014. "Sky Mining." Revise the principles, benefits and risks of space exploration as part of National 5 Physics Mammograms to detect breast cancer are another good example. It Will Take A Lot of Luck." (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.airspacemag.com/space/the-real-reasons-we-explore-space-18816871/?no-ist, Kiger, Patrick J. et al. Space exploration allows us to find these resources on other planets, asteroids, and celestial bodies that benefit us here at home. 0 "Anniversary Shows Us that NASA and Space Exploration are Worth Their Costs." The moon also is believed to be a potential source of rare earth elements such as europium and tantalium, which are in high demand for use in electronics, solar panels and other advanced gadgetry [source: Ouellette]. Experiments performed in space help us understand health problems on Earth. "The Asteroid-Mining Race Begins." Check it out, there are some great answers. For example, Arthur C. Clarke in 1945 described a way in which three satellites in orbit about 35,800 km (22,250 miles) above the Equator could relay communications around the globe. Fire detection technology Space research and testing led the way for the development of a terrestrial detection toolthat uses high-resolution optical se… ISECG – Benefits Stemming from Space Exploration 1. It would also give us an opportunity to start building in space because the raw materials are easy to haul and transport. Space exploration could save your life. See. The Nili Fossae region of Mars is one of the largest exposures of clay minerals discovered by the OMEGA spectrometer on the Mars Express mission. This was followed by NASA’s Skylab space station, the first orbital laboratory in which astronauts and scientists studied Earth and the effects of spaceflight on the human body. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/50-years-50-giant-leaps-how-nasa-rocked-our-world-879377.html, Griffin, Michael. Health and medicine; Global navigation; Locating minerals and fossil fuels; Weather forecasting; Health and Medicine: In the field of health and medicines, space exploration has enabled man to develop medical devices such as WARP 10 and handheld high-intensity LED units etc. Space.com. 1. Discovery News. Author's Note: 10 Reasons Why Space Exploration Matters to You I was a child in the 1960s, a time when many of us believed that someday we would be flying off into the cosmos in search of adventure. A lot of attention has been given to a private-sector venture that envisions mining operations on asteroids, but space miners wouldn't have to go that far to find riches. "One Planet, How Many People? Huffington Post. It is perhaps just one small step to preserve human heritage in space. "An Investment Strategy for National Security Space." Despite the beauty of his lyrics, I must differ with him respectfully on that last point. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.space.com/25999-alien-life-search-tools-luck.html, Kueter, Jeff and Sheldon, John B. A Review of Earth's Carrying Capacity." The foundation of how we explore space was created in 1966 with the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. 10. Crews from three different countries have a meal together at the International Space Station, 2001. Space exploration invokes the interest of many. … I can't say precisely when that dream ended for me, but I remember that back in the mid-1990s, the British folksinger Billy Bragg recorded a song that seemed to capture some of what I felt. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=23189, Swanson, Emily. The International Space Station and the docked space shuttle Endeavour orbit Earth during Endeavour's final mission on May 23, 2011. The U.S. needs to detect and prevent a hostile nation or terrorist group from deploying space-based weapons or attacking its navigational, communications and surveillance satellites. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. The moon, for example, is a potentially lucrative source of helium-3 (used for certain MRIs and a possible fuel for nuclear power plants), whose increasing rarity on Earth has jacked up its price to $5,000 a liter. In the 1960s, for example, NASA scientists developed a plastic coated with a metallic reflecting agent. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://na.unep.net/geas/archive/pdfs/GEAS_Jun_12_Carrying_Capacity.pdf, Wall, Mike. Your life -- or those of your descendants -- might depend upon it. Heritage Foundation. It’s now over 50 years since the Soviet Union first put a man, Yuri Gagarin, into space, and the 50 year anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon in 1969 is approaching. Introduction . Already, our ability to put satellites in space is helping us to monitor and combat pressing problems on Earth, from forest fires and oil spills to the depletion of aquifers that people depend upon for drinking water [source: Fowler]. It gives us an opportunity to see what lies beyond in the final frontier. Another popularly cited benefit of space exploration is “job creation”, or the fact that a space agency and its network of contractors, universities and other entities help people stay employed. But real reasons include concepts like curiosity, competiveness and monument-building. The International Space Station alone has generated scores of medical innovations with uses on Earth, such as a method for delivering cancer-fighting medication directly to tumors; gadgetry that a nurse can hold to perform ultrasounds and transmit the results to a doctor thousands of miles away; and a robotic arm that can perform delicate surgery inside an MRI machine. Paolo Nespoli - ESA/NASA via Getty Images. Wasn't going to the moon good enough? Bloombergview.com. That's led some futurists to argue that we should be preparing to colonize another planet, and soon. Superficially, it may seem that space exploration does not engender any direct benefits to humanity, nor address the prevalent issues we face on Earth. 10: Protection From a Catastrophic Asteroid, 3: It Could Help Answer a Really Big Question, 2: Humans Need to Fulfill Their Urge to Explore, 1: We May Need to Colonize Space to Survive, Austen, Ben. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-09-08/the-asteroid-mining-race-begins, NASA. Car crash technology Technology utilizing remotely detonated explosive bolts of energy to free the Space Shuttle from its rocket boosters on blast-off have since been adapted for a much more earth-bound purpose. But if I say, 'Who wants to be an aerospace engineer to design the airplane that will navigate the rarefied atmosphere of Mars?' And yet, they push onward. Here are some of the most compelling arguments for continuing the exploration of space. Shouldn't we be prepared? Space exploration involves great economic investment, massive risks and seemingly impossible objectives. The Phantom Torso, seen here on the International Space Station (2001), measures the effects of radiation on organs inside the body, using a torso similar to those used to train radiologists on Earth. Sept. 15, 2014. May 26, 2014. By its very nature, space exploration expands the envelope of human Space exploration gives us an opportunity to access new mineral resources, allowing for the privatization of this venture. The Pros of Space Exploration. Space exploration can bring new resources and technology to our planet. For more than fifty years, humans have explored space, and this has produced a continuing flow of societal benefits. Space.com. "Space Shuttle Program: Spanning 30 Years of Discovery." "Want to Find Alien Life? We can locate potential dangers ahead of time. And a quarter of them think that extraterrestrials already have visited our planet [source: Swanson]. If we want a world in which our kids aspire to being great scientists and engineers instead of reality show hosts, rappers or Wall Street financial tycoons, having a great enterprise to attract and inspire them is crucial. 1. Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images. Once every 10,000 years or so an asteroid hits our planet. Nationalgeographic.com. Such a collision would unleash a firestorm of heated debris and fill the atmosphere with sun-blocking dust, which would wipe out forests and farm fields and starve the human and animal life that it didn't immediately kill. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.nss.org/legislative/positions/NSS_Position_Paper_Planetary_Defense_2014.pdf, National Public Radio. Jan. 27, 2007. Independent. May 2014. endstream endobj 355 0 obj <> endobj 356 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 1/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 357 0 obj <>stream endstream endobj startxref The main advantage of space exploration is that it allows us to gain new information about a much unknown place. That's why it's crucial to back up diplomacy with a NASA spacefaring capacity that could be converted to military use, if needed. Metrolyrics.com. Our solar system has calmed down a … (Sept. 14, 2014) http://cosmosmagazine.com/features/sky-mining/, Minter, Adam. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of man's landing on the Moon, TechRadar looks at the technologies the space race has brought us. 1996. Feb. 20, 2013. h��Vk��8�+�8�b�v�B2tX�v4���">d��DJ2U��{��0ߗǖ�"��@�9��p@����mH��DZF���r��3 +a!�E���Z�M6C)���Z�� ��!��Ө{C�\���. July 2007. Space exploration - Space exploration - Space applications: Space visionaries in the early 20th century recognized that putting satellites into orbit could furnish direct and tangible benefits to people on Earth. Nss.org. Spaceref.com. (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-02/after-earth-why-where-how-and-when-we-might-leave-our-home-planet, Bragg, Billy. Humanity’s outer space capability has grown remarkably since 1957 when Sputnik was … (Sept. 14, 2014) http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/663071.pdf, Independent. Space agencies, governments, researchers and commentators have isolated a large number of direct and indirect benefits of space exploration programs including: And while it and other major powers such as Russia and China are signatories of a 1967 treaty that forbids nations from claiming territory in space, it's not hard to think of examples of past treaties that were tossed aside when someone saw a benefit in doing so. Popsci.com. Title: Space Exploration: Benefits of space exploration Exploring the outer space is a risky, expensive and yet interesting undertaking where the outer space has been a big mystery to humankind and that intrigued the basic sense of all man, curiosity.