Space exploration is very expensive. It is a common occurrence, whenever there is a need for budgeting the NASA’s space expeditions, people begin to question the need to spend that much money on something that does not even involve the Earth. Despite of all the criticism, NASA has made quite a number of discoveries and inventions from image processing to the fire proof kids pajamas. Hundreds and thousands of research papers have been written on the subject of space exploration and the amount of data that it has got is unaccountable.
Before judging whether the cost of space exploration is worth its cost, one need to fully understand few basic things.
It is a common misconception that billions of dollars are wasted yearly on expeditions and missions that don’t even involve us. However, the money spent for the manned space exploration is spent right here on earth and most of the most is spent in United States. Nothing is free in this world, everything has a price. Money is needed for research and development, manufacturing, insurance companies, salaries and many other purposes. Money quickly circulates through the economy.
But whenever the government spends huge amount of money it is the right of people to ask questions about it. Questions like where and how it will be spent and how it will be financed. Will the poor will have to pay its prices through taxes or any organization is going to sponsor it for their own benefits. How it is going to affect humanity and what purpose it will serve to government.
It has been 50 years since the space age has started. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the 1st cosmonaut who was the part of manned spaceflight. At that time there was a fierce rivalry between the US and USSR. Since then treaties have been signed and both now work in collaboration. Now there is an International Space Station (ISS) where many countries are part of it and work together. There is no conflict whatsoever as has been the case on Earth. In spite of many challenges in space things have been under control.
NASA’s budget is not even 1% of the total US budget and it is nothing if we compare it to the government social expenses.
Manned space exploration is very important and worth every penny of it. We not only learn about space but about ourselves too. It gives hope and inspiration to young as well.