What is the impact of Space Exploration?

Answer 1

Exploring space has many advantages and disadvantages.

Listed below are some of the reasons arguing against space exploration; If you would like to see the arguments Pro-space exploration, click on the related question below 'What are the positive effects of space exploration?'

Negative Effects of Space Exploration1) It's a waste of money

This could be much more usefully used here on earth for worthwhile purposes (e.g., for health, education, and especially global warming).

2) It benefits few (mainly big corporations / some nations ) to the detriment of many.

3) It is militaristic and war-mongering, as ultimately it is driven at the behest of and truly controlled by the military for military purposes.

4) It perpetuates the "space race"

A good parallel would be the race between Britain and Germany before the First World War to have the most, the biggest, the heavier-broadside battleships. (Most ships were sunk in WW1 and WW2 by the tiny and relatively-puny submarine, and most battleships were not sunk by other battleships but by aircraft.)

Others would be the Russian 'Sputnik' satellite and subsequent rockets, and the race to be the first to land men on the Moon.

5) It is inflationary

Indeed, it could be argued that recessions follow wars, and that more people die in the years after a war from the resultant negative-effects and consequences of that war than from the actual war itself. These flow-on effects are multi-generational.

6) It is ego-building

It is a 'win/lose' situation, 'Mine is bigger/better/faster etc. than yours and now you'll have to listen to me' : there is no real 'win/win' situation for all. Also, some people are in it just to make their reputation, to make themselves look good.

7) Space Research & Development inventions are uneconomical

The 'Teflon' coating was invented as a consequence of spacial R&D, but you can't tell me that it wasn't going to be invented anyway.

The Americans spent millions developing a pen that would write in space any attitude: the Russians used pencils.

On just a cost-analysis, inventions for space use cost more to develop than for the same invention to be used on earth, and are economically not feasible.

8) Why bother to explore space anyway?

Who cares if there is a face or microbes or water on Mars, or whatever? What difference does it make in the overall scheme of things anyway?

Food for thought next time you see something re space exploration. Compare these against the benefits of space exploration and see where the balance is.

Answer 2

Hi- I think the positive is we are living it now by being able to share ideas and thoughts- worldwide. I think communications are probably the biggest key to understanding others and being more tolerate.

On the negative side is the fight for control over our thoughts by overjealous advertisers that threaten our privacy.

Still- plus outweight negatives. If only we could get the couriers and airplanes from polluting our air. Take a stroll on the walk side- Download software don't buy in a package and drive up to get it or have it delivered.

Push for more environmental friendly aircraft or take less trips. How about bus- train- give a co-workers a ride:)

Answer 3

Some of the advantages are that it helps us understand more about our planet, and that it answers some of our questions that have been asked for millions of years. I wouldn't say there are too many disadvantages, except the cost and the risk involved.

Answer 4

Space research has led to important discoveries such as frozen water referred to as Europa, on the moon. Satellites have improved communication globally. Negative effects of space research include space junk, adverse health effects on astronauts and heavy government spending.

Answer 5

Pros: # It creates jobs that have a future. # It provides the possibility of deflecting planet killing asteroids. # It provides a frontier for human endeavor. # It will provide analysis of where life may have come from. # It will provide new raw materials. Cons: # It will poke holes in the ozone layer since rocket exhaust produces water vapor, and the CO2 emissions will polute the atmosphere, and it makes petrol prices go up cos it uses so much (since hydrogen fuel is stripped from fossil fuels). # It will make the aliens really angry at us. # It will be a sacrificial goat for any politician that can sell us on "emergency needs", rather than the future of Mankind. (See 2) above)

Answer 6

Negative:

Extreme advances in weapon development to the point that weapons that not only kill millions at the push of a button, but scar the land around where they're used for decades are available

Positive:

Organized, efficient way to disprove false concepts, discover new things, and develop new technologies

Answer 7

people have died in space exploration, though, many have survived.

Answer 8

Who knows what we'll find? We could find a new home after we destroy this one, we could meet an alien species. We don't know, that's why we're so curious.

Answer 9

better knowledge of the universe, the chance to observe other planets close up, we could find out more about physics, better holiday destinations