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Space Exploration
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Is space exploration worth its cost? Is there a certain aspect of space exploration we should focus on or exempt?
Looking at the long term, it's worth it... assuming humanity will survive that long.
Short term though? Well, might as well spend that money on something that brings future benefits before corrupt, greedy, politicians pocket that dough...
It is definitivly worth the costs. I wish that nations would spend all their military efforts into exploring and colonizing space. But first I wish that my wishes count.
I need to stop posting "debate" topics which we all agree on >_<
Yes.
I can play the role of the dissenting opinion if you guys want that...
(you know, like how OPFOR works...)
Good idea!
Omgzorsz, so liek, why spend 1/2 of 1% of tax dolar on space travle, it so wazteful. lol space iz stupid lol #yoloswag
Yah, whai exsplwor ouder spasce? space awl stoopid and iz gay lol!!!1! @swag yolo
Space could provide us with VERY useful resources, which could then be used to aid us on our world. I highly doubt we can get oil or coal from space due to the way it is formed so humanity might as well try making an alternative way of powering our cars and barbecues. This could be the best alternative to gasoline: Youtube.com
YES. Space is my idea of a cure for war. If we could reorganize the western Military Industrial Complex into a Space Industrial Complex, we would do the world a lot of good. In the long run it would be healthier for the human race.
Nope.
Develop the technology then send man to the stars. All this crap about second missions to the moon and a trip to Mars is worthless if there's no attempt for colonization and the supposed colonization of Mars we're hearing about is actually the work of some rich guy and not any government.
At the moment all the money in this field should be spent on resources to improve space travel so we can go beyond our solar system or find a way to terraform Mars or colonize it properly. Little trips for rocks and dust are worthless.
"We now have reason to believe the soil of Mars holds a rather rare mineral which is otherwise worthless." ~~~ Dr.Dofus after the £11 billion mission to Mars to collect rocks and dust.
Wow that knowledge is sure to save humanity one day Dr.Dofus. Not.
Well, I partially agree; honestly I think that both need to be attempted though. Rovers and probes are an obvious necessity for exploration, because they give us loads of scientific information. Sending humans to places I think is necessary as well, due to the simple awe which comes from the words "Yes, man has walked on other worlds", getting us more scientists and more people interested in science.
However, at the same time, researching terraforming/improved space travel is invaluable. They are the long-term investment within an already long-term investment, that being space travel in the first place. They are what will ultimately see mankind to other planets, and across the seas of space safely- but smaller, simpler steps are required too.
In summary, all aspects of space science are in need of further funding. Some are more useful than others, but almost all of it is infinitely more useful than 50% of where the rest of the tax dollar goes.
(Above all though, I think that what needs the most funding is researching the construction of a space elevator. That would make space travel and construction of space-faring craft so much easier... I think that once we have a space elevator, we will enter a far more developed space age)
With the invention of 3D printing, the propect of Mars colonization is becoming more and more tangible. While I think it's important to attempt space exploration with what we already have, we should spending more money on technological development then on space missions. Should the VASIMIR engine be succesful, countless new opportunities will be opened to mankind. It would be a shame for those opportunities to be delayed by the mere curiosity of today's scientists.
The curiosity of scientists often brings us some of the most grand developments of mankind, entirely unintentionally- it is hard to direct and control the path of scientific advancement. The only thing that holds back those opportunities is the ignorance of governments which causes the lack of funding for space.
Okay, "curiosity" was definitely the wrong word...what I mean is, planning decade-long voyages isn't going to be of much use if it could be rendered obsolete within several years. In the long run, I believe it would be a much wiser idea to invest more time in technology and research that will even benefit areas besides space exploration, even if it means disappointing the over-eager minority within the scientific commununity. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe we should cease all current missions. The fact remains though, that without convenient and more sophisticated technology, space exploration will remain in the exact same position that it's been in for the past 10+ years.
space exploration yes.
space colonization no.
at least not until humanity is unified. I fear the rise of planetary organizations that will cause interplanetary war which might lead to "planetcide"
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