space exploration advantages disadvantages essay

18 Biggest Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

President Donald Trump announced his desire in 2018 to create a sixth branch of the U.S. military that he colloquially called the Space Force. Although Congress has yet to act on this desire to take the armed forces beyond the atmosphere of our planet, in February 2019, Trump signed Space Policy Directive 4 to have these forces organize underneath the umbrella of the U.S. Air Force.

The directive formally allows the Air Force to organize, train, and equip a corps of military space personnel for actions that take place in space. “Today I’m thrilled to sign a new order taking the next step to create the United States Space Force,” Trump said during the signing ceremony. “It’s so important. When you look at defense, when you look at all of the other aspects of where the world will be some day. I mean, this is the beginning. This is a very important process.”

The initial version of the Space Force will be overseen by a civilian undersecretary and a four-star general serving as the Chief of Staff. Although this structure is not as ambitious as having a separate branch of the military, space exploration experts feel like this is a step in the right direction.

The pros and cons of exploring space are complex simply because we have limited knowledge of what lies beyond our solar system. There are still mysteries to discover about our own planet! These are the key points to consider when we begin to look at what life might look like in the vastness of space.

List of the Pros of Space Exploration

1. It is an opportunity which is available to anyone. If you have a telescope, then you have an opportunity to start exploring space. For more than 300 years, we have looked to the stars with this technology as a way to learn more about our planet and ourselves as a species. When the Hubble space telescope was launched in 1990, it gave us our first views without atmospheric interference on what the vastness of our universe was like.

With millions of images taken and tens of thousands of papers written based on the observations made from simple telescope technologies, we have learned more about the structure of our universe, its age, and the composition of our solar system in the last 20 years than our ancestors would have ever dreamed was possible.

2. It gives us an opportunity to foster genuine cooperation. Because we are a world of nation states, the investments that we make in space exploration tend to have a patriotic feeling to them. Some efforts in this scientific area are still nationally-based, but for most projects there is a spirit of cooperation between the countries of the world who have made this realm of science a top priority. We work together as the human race to operate the international space station, fund research projects, and look outward beyond the stars to see what is there. It is one of the few areas in our lives today where we set aside our boundaries to work together toward a common good.

3. It is an effort which requires us to become innovative. The 100-year Starship Program has the ultimate goal of creating a technology that will allow us to explore space. No idea is off-limits with this project. What we have found in our quest to achieve specific goals in this area of science is that there are numerous discoveries which become possible to improve our lives here at home. Everything from athletic shoes to water purification systems came about because of our push to look beyond our planet. By tackling the technological needs to stay safe in space, we can make life better for everyone down on our planet at the same time.

4. It is an opportunity to explore something new. Although there are still regions of our planet that we rarely study because of technology limitations, the vastness of the universe is a much more significant prize. Only the Voyager spacecraft have gone beyond the first boundaries of our solar system. The information they provide us nearly four decades after their launch continues to enlighten our knowledge of the universe. There are so many unanswered questions when we think about space, especially now that scientists can determine which stars have planets orbiting around them.

Is there life somewhere else in the universe? If so, would those beings look like us? There are numerous technological barriers we must cross before we could travel for long distances in the vacuum of space, but we are getting one step closer every day.

5. It creates numerous employment opportunities in a variety of fields. There are more than 18,000 people employed in the United States by NASA, along with countless contractors, freelancers, and specialists not counted in those figures. The private company SpaceX provides about 7,000 full-time high-skill positions that support the economy. Then there are the astronauts, engineers, and flight specialists who manage the actual mechanisms of space flight to consider.

Numerous indirect employment opportunities are possible because of our efforts at space exploration too. We need caterers, designers, nutritionists, personal trainers, astronomers, scientists, and many other positions to support these activities. Even though the budget for NASA is $21 billion for FY 2020, the economic returns can be five times greater because of these activities.

6. It allows us to understand our planet better. When we can observe the full scale of our planet from a high orbital position, then we can see changes that are not always possible from the ground. It gives us a way to track the changes to our environment, study ozone depletion, and measure the impacts of a warming planet. We can provide accurate prediction models for weather patterns, observe troop movements, and install safety equipment that guards against an attack. When we take full advantage of this benefit, it becomes possible to create a place in the universe that is healthier for many years to come.

7. It gives us a new perspective on our place in the universe. It took several centuries for the scientific world (back by religious zealots) to accept the fact that the Earth was not the center of the universe. When we saw that first picture from a distance of what our planet looks like from a distant point in our solar system, it became clear to see that a small, pale blue dot in the middle of the vastness of our universe puts our daily issues into a new perspective. Until we discover otherwise, this is the only home that we have. It is up to each of us to share resources, reduce conflict, and work toward a common good.

8. It allows us to identify potential dangers before they strike. The asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars is only one source for these deadly rocks in our solar system. There may even be threats that travel through the universe to interact with our region of space from time-to-time. It would only take one significant impact to change life on our planet forever, which is why space exploration makes threat identification a top priority. If we can locate and move threatening asteroids or comets before they threaten an impact, we could stop the apocalypse before it ever gets a chance to begin.

9. It would give us access to new minerals, precious metals, and other useful items. Thanks to the asteroids which occasionally make it to the surface of our planet, we know that many of them contain iron and carbon. We also know that there is nickel, cobalt, silicon, magnesium, calcium, and several other elements present. Some might have water or oxygen contained beneath their surface. There may even be gold, platinum, and other precious metals there. We might even discover something that we’ve never encountered before.

Space exploration gives us an opportunity to access new mineral resources, allowing for the privatization of this venture. It would also give us an opportunity to start building in space because the raw materials are easy to haul and transport.

10. It gives us an opportunity to see what lies beyond in the final frontier. Unless circumstances change somehow, there will come a point in time when our species will outgrow our planet. We must begin to look for colonization opportunities in our solar system and beyond to help support the future of our race. As our scientific and technological discoveries begin to open up opportunities to visit distant stars, we can start to discover even more mysteries that will help us to answer the meaningful questions in life.

11. It could change our approach to medicine. Discovering new organic elements in space could help us to discover cures for some of our worst diseases. We really don’t know what is possible in our universe beyond the scope of basic physics. There could be untold treasures just waiting beyond our solar system to discover. Although there is always an element of risk to any exploration venture, there are great rewards often waiting for those who embrace their courage to start pressing forward. At the rate of development that we’ve seen in the 21st century, we could be looking at a very different human race in our children’s lifetimes based on the possibilities of discovery.

List of the Cons of Space Exploration

1. It could cause us harm or provide harm to other species in space. We know from experience what happens when one group of humans comes into contact with another group after generations of isolation. The diseases that transferred back and forth between Europe and the New World devastated some cultures. There were times that smallpox would kill over 90% of the local population by itself. If we encounter life on a different planet (or if they visit us), the threat of disease transmission is real. Their viruses, bacteria, and potentially unknown invaders could do as much damage to us as we could to do them. First contact would be an exciting experience, but it could also be a deadly one even though no one has any ill intent toward the other.

2. It creates high-level pollution events. We must consume fossil fuels when we launch rockets into space, which means we’re creating a significant level of pollution every time we expend fuel for exploration purposes. Even on a light load, it costs about $300,000 to fuel a rocket. Larger models could hold a half-million gallons of fuel that would be used during an entire mission. That means we are creating roughly 4 million pounds of carbon pollution with every action that we take to reach space. Then we must find a way to place these fuels safely into orbit to make our exploration efforts useful, creating even further potential problems for our atmosphere.

3. It gives us more ways to be paranoid about what others are doing. There are only five treaties which currently govern how we operate in space. Our original goal as the human race was to make it so that no one could claim a territory in orbit or our solar system that could give one nation a distinctive advantage. The creation of a Space Force could work to upset the balance that we’ve worked to create for the last 50 years. We’re already using satellites to spy on one another, monitor communications networks, and potentially target cities with weapons.

This paranoia will only increase as we push further into the stars. The only real solution to this disadvantage is to start thinking of ourselves as a planetary nation instead of one that is built on nation-states alone.

4. It will create a large amount of garbage that we must manage. Did you know that NASA tracks over a half-million pieces of space junk that orbits our planet right now? Unless we physically remove these items in some way, this garbage will linger until it falls into our atmosphere to burn up. Every item we leave behind creates a future risk for someone else. If we are going to start exploring space, then we must begin to look at ways to clean up our act before we get going. It’s bad enough that we’ve polluted our oceans with microplastics. Should a spaceship encounter that debris, it could be a deadly experience.

5. it may cause our planet to face unknown perils. A common theme in many science-fiction novels, shows, and movies is the idea that an alien race is hostile towards us. It is widely believed that water may be one of the scarcest commodities in the universe, but here we are with a planet that is more than 70% water. If we start venturing out beyond our solar system, it is entirely possible that we could encounter a species who decides that our resources are ripe for the taking. We assume that an advanced culture who could invent real-time space travel would be peaceful, but there are no guarantees. Exploring space could become an invitation for interstellar war.

6. It will always entail risk. Human beings were not meant to be in the vacuum of space. We must wear extensive protective gear to survive those conditions. Even one small leak or crack in a helmet or suit would be enough to create an adverse health condition. This issue applies to the planetary environments which we know of right now as well. Then there are the health issues to consider when the human body experiences a lack of gravity for an extended time.

NASA studied identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly when Scott took a long trip to space. Scientists monitored their bodies to see how being in a weightless environment could change the physical chemistry of a person. They discovered that genomic instability occurs, including gene expression changes, and spending a year in that environment caused a thickening of the carotid artery, DNA damage, and reduced cognitive abilities.

7. It is expensive to start exploring space. Even though the budget for NASA has not changed that much in recent years, we are spending about $200 billion per decade on our current space exploration efforts. Privatization of the industry has helped to reduce some costs, especially as SpaceX continues to work on a recoverable rocket. When you add in the costs from other countries and their space programs, our planet spends about $60 billion per year on this effort. In comparison, the United Nations suggests that it would only take half of that amount to end global hunger permanently. Should exploring space be our top priority if we’re struggling to take care of ourselves here at home?

When we examine these space exploration pros and cons, there is a certain nobleness to the idea of seeking what lies beyond the next horizon. Our society was built on the desire to explore the planet where we live. Now our culture has the itch to start pushing beyond the next boundary. Whether that means we colonize the moon, establish a community on Mars, or push toward Alpha Centauri, there is something waiting to be discovered. We’re closer than ever before to finding out what that might be.

Beyond Earth: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

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Introduction

Space exploration represents one of humanity’s most ambitious endeavors, extending our reach beyond our home planet to the vast expanses of the cosmos. From sending satellites to orbit to landing humans on the Moon, space exploration has driven technological innovation and broadened our understanding of the universe. However, this pursuit is not without its challenges and controversies. This essay explores both the advantages and disadvantages of space exploration, highlighting its impact on science, technology, economics, and society.

1. Advantages of Space Exploration

1.1 scientific discovery and knowledge.

Space exploration has led to profound scientific discoveries that have significantly expanded our knowledge of the universe. Missions to other planets and moons, such as those conducted by NASA’s Mars rovers or the Voyager spacecraft, have provided valuable data about our solar system and beyond. These missions have revealed the complexities of planetary geology, atmospheric conditions, and potential for life, enhancing our understanding of cosmic phenomena.

1.2 Technological Innovation

The demands of space exploration have driven the development of numerous technologies that have practical applications on Earth. Innovations such as satellite technology, GPS systems, and advanced materials have their roots in space research. The need for miniaturized electronics and high-performance materials for spacecraft has spurred advancements in technology, benefiting various industries, including telecommunications, medicine, and manufacturing.

1.3 Economic Benefits

Space exploration can generate economic benefits by stimulating technological advancements and creating new industries. The growth of the commercial space sector, including private companies engaged in satellite deployment, space tourism, and asteroid mining, contributes to economic development. Additionally, space missions can lead to job creation in fields related to engineering, science, and project management.

1.4 Inspiration and Education

Space exploration serves as a source of inspiration for people around the world, fostering interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The achievements of space missions, such as landing humans on the Moon or exploring distant planets, capture the imagination of students and the public, encouraging the pursuit of careers in science and technology. Educational programs and outreach initiatives associated with space exploration can enhance scientific literacy and inspire future generations.

1.5 Global Collaboration

Space exploration often involves international cooperation, fostering collaboration between nations. Projects such as the International Space Station (ISS) bring together space agencies from different countries, promoting peaceful relations and shared goals. Collaborative efforts in space research and technology development can lead to the pooling of resources and expertise, advancing scientific progress on a global scale.

2. Disadvantages of Space Exploration

2.1 high costs.

One of the primary challenges of space exploration is its high cost. Space missions require substantial financial investments in research, development, and operational expenses. The funding for space programs often comes from public sources, such as government budgets, which can lead to debates about the allocation of resources. Critics argue that the money spent on space exploration could be redirected to address pressing issues on Earth, such as poverty, healthcare, and education.

2.2 Environmental Impact

Space exploration can have environmental consequences, both in terms of space debris and the impact of rocket launches. The accumulation of space debris poses a risk to satellites and other spacecraft, potentially leading to collisions and further debris generation. Additionally, rocket launches contribute to atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these environmental concerns requires ongoing research and the development of sustainable practices in space exploration.

2.3 Risks to Human Health

Human spaceflight presents risks to astronaut health due to exposure to cosmic radiation, microgravity, and isolation. Prolonged exposure to radiation in space can increase the risk of cancer and other health issues. Microgravity can lead to muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and fluid shifts, affecting the health and well-being of astronauts. Ensuring the safety and health of space travelers requires continued research and advancements in protective technologies.

2.4 Ethical and Legal Issues

Space exploration raises ethical and legal questions regarding the use of extraterrestrial resources, planetary protection, and the potential for space colonization. The extraction of resources from other planets or celestial bodies could lead to conflicts over ownership and environmental concerns. Planetary protection measures aim to prevent contamination of other worlds, but the ethical implications of altering extraterrestrial environments must be carefully considered.

2.5 Potential for Militarization

The potential militarization of space is a concern, as advances in space technology could lead to the development of space-based weapons or strategic capabilities. The presence of military assets in space could exacerbate geopolitical tensions and lead to an arms race in space. Ensuring that space remains a domain for peaceful exploration and international cooperation is crucial for maintaining global security and stability.

3. Balancing the Pros and Cons

3.1 cost-benefit analysis.

To address the high costs associated with space exploration, it is essential to conduct a cost-benefit analysis that evaluates the long-term benefits against the financial investments. Investments in space research should be weighed against potential technological advancements, economic growth, and scientific discoveries. Finding ways to optimize costs, increase efficiency, and leverage private sector contributions can help balance the financial aspects of space exploration.

3.2 Environmental Sustainability

Promoting environmental sustainability in space exploration involves developing technologies and practices that minimize the impact on space and Earth’s environment. This includes advancing debris removal techniques, improving rocket propulsion systems, and implementing planetary protection measures. Collaboration between space agencies, researchers, and industry stakeholders is essential for addressing environmental challenges and ensuring the responsible use of space.

3.3 Ethical Frameworks and Regulations

Establishing ethical frameworks and regulations for space exploration can address concerns related to resource extraction, planetary protection, and militarization. International agreements and treaties, such as the Outer Space Treaty, play a role in guiding responsible behavior in space. Ongoing discussions and policy development are necessary to address emerging ethical and legal issues and ensure that space exploration benefits humanity as a whole.

Space exploration represents a monumental endeavor that offers both remarkable advantages and significant challenges. The pursuit of knowledge, technological innovation, economic growth, and global collaboration underscores the potential benefits of exploring the cosmos. However, the high costs, environmental impact, risks to human health, ethical dilemmas, and potential for militarization highlight the complexities of space exploration. Balancing these factors requires thoughtful consideration, responsible practices, and international cooperation to ensure that space exploration continues to advance humanity’s understanding of the universe while addressing the associated challenges. As we venture further into space, it is essential to navigate these issues with foresight and a commitment to the responsible and ethical use of space for the benefit of all.

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19 Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

One of the reasons why fictional universes like those in Star Wars or Star Trek are popular is because they show us a reality where hope is possible anywhere. In the former, space exploration leads to an independent spirit where the fate of one’s culture and identity are at risk of being overrun by a zealous government. In the latter, humanity overcomes its core problems of conflict, hunger, and poverty to become great explorers of space.

Numerous science-fiction novels and stories over the years show us that exploring space could be exciting and profitable. What we don’t always discuss are the potential dangers and expenses that such an action would bring to us as well. When European settlers came to the Caribbean as explorers, some tribes lost up to 90% of their population because of the introduction of new diseases.

If we were to begin exploring alien worlds or encountering new life, our entire planet could experience the same problems as those island tribes.

That is why it is critical to examine the advantages and disadvantages of space exploration before launching these missions to ensure that we can all achieve the best possible result.

List of the Advantages of Space Exploration

1. Space exploration allows us to prepare for potential hazards. The universe is a vast place where hidden dangers could be lurking almost anywhere. Even if you consider only our solar system, there are asteroid and comet threats which could devastate our planet if an impact were to occur. 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. Oumuamua, or 11/2018 U1, was discovered by the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in 2017 by the University of Hawaii through funding from the Near-Earth Object Observations Program. It was originally thought to be an asteroid, then a comet since it was accelerating, and up to 10 times as long as it was wide. These items could create interstellar impacts as well.

2. It gives us more information about our solar system, galaxy, and universe. When we take on the effort to start exploring space, then we can discover new truths about our planet and culture simultaneously. The information we obtain from these studies can then be applied to our STEM resources here at home. NASA technologies that were originally developed for space programs include infrared ear thermometers, LED lighting, ventricular-assist devices, anti-icing systems, and even temper foam.

Because it requires us to innovate to reach to the stars, our efforts to solve critical problems create opportunities to make life better here on our planet at the same time.

3. Exploring space is one of the few human endeavors that crosses borders. There are currently 72 countries who claim to have a space program, but there are only three which have an operating government space agency: China, Russia, and the United States. Despite the political conflicts that occur between these nations, their capability of producing human spaceflight provides the gold standard for future exploration efforts. Only 14 of the 72 nations who operate in this space even have a basic launch capacity and six (adding Europe, India, and Japan) have the capability to launch or recover multiple satellites.

Because of the expenses and resources necessary to achieve space flight, the remaining nations work together with those who have the capability of a full launch to manage this aspect of human existence. This endeavor is one of the few ways that humans from all nations cooperate without conflict.

4. We can see humanity in a different way with space exploration. Carl Sagan suggested that Voyager 1 take a picture of Earth while it was 4 billion miles away at more than 30 degrees above the ecliptic plane. In that image, our planet appears as a 0.12 pixel crescent. All of our conflicts, political battles, successes, failures, love, loss, and life occur on this one-tenth of a pixel. In the scope of a universal lens, we are but one small point of light amount countless others.

“Look again at that dot,” wrote Sagan. “That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer, every king and peasant… every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”

5. Space exploration provides us access to new raw materials. When we began to launch satellites into space, it allowed us to find new raw material deposits on our planet that we could access to make life easier here. If we apply this technology as an extension to the rest of our solar system, then it gives us the same benefit to find minerals, precious metals, and even new materials that we can use. Although the expense of exploring space is admittedly high, this advantage gives us a way to offset those costs somewhat. There is even the potential that it could become profitable one day if we can provide these efforts with enough capital.

6. Investments into space exploration create real economic benefits at home. The governments which provide the majority of our space exploration infrastructure employ over 20,000 people per agency who make direct positive economic impacts on their community. There are private companies who look at the potential benefits of this industry and contribute to this advantage as well, such as SpaceX and their thousands of staff.

People from all walks of life contribute to space exploration every day, ranging from astronomers to actual rocket scientists. Even though many of these programs receive taxpayer funding, the wages, manufacturing, and indirect investments contribute over 70% more in overall value at the local level compared to each dollar spent in the United States. These opportunities allows us to explore many different fields of study in addition to what is waiting in the universe as well.

7. Anyone can become a space explorer. Space exploration doesn’t need to involve starships, space stations, or intergalactic travel. If you own a telescope and can look up at the sky, then you can embrace this element of human existence. Our scientists have taken this advantage to the next level with the Hubble Space Telescope, which has made over 1 million observations in almost 30 years of service. We have made some incredible discoveries with this technology already.

• We have a better idea about the age of the universe (around 13.7 billion years).
• Images of the deep universe show that there are thousands of galaxies out there.
• It helped us to discover four of the five moons that orbit Pluto.
• We have a better understanding of planetary seasons in our universe.
• It works to peer into the atmospheres of alien planets so that we know what is waiting for us in our future exploration efforts.

8. Space exploration encourages us to share instead of being selfish. Being human-first from a space exploration standpoint isn’t about dominating other cultures that we might find waiting for us in the universe. It is a way for us to find common ground outside of our physical appearance, cultural differences, or religious preferences. For far too long, we have allowed ourselves to be consumed by our petty problems instead of looking at the big picture.

If someone is hungry, then we should feed them. If they are cold, then we should clothe them. If they need a job, then we should help to train them. Space exploration unites us in ways that other global efforts do not because we see ourselves as humans first. This advantage won’t solve our problems, but it can shift our attitude toward something that is healthier than our current state.

9. We know more about our planet thanks to our efforts to explore space. Because space exploration gives us a different perspective, it allows us to look at our planet in a different way. The view from outside of our atmosphere allows us to see the big picture instead of trying to extrapolate information from micro-scale research. This advantage allowed us to discover the problem of ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere, begin the conversations on global warming, and examine the current and future impact of weather pattern changes that may happen because of a changing climate.

Space exploration helps us to look inward as well as outward, helping us all to find the changes that are necessary to keep our planet healthy for our children, grandchildren, and beyond.

List of the Disadvantages of Space Exploration

1. Our current technology makes it dangerous to get into space in the first place. Several agencies are developing “space tourism” packages that can take people in a comfortable aircraft to the very outer layers of our atmosphere, but that is not an exploration effort. We currently strap astronauts into a vehicle that gets attached to a very large rocket so that there is enough speed available to break the grasp of gravity.

Starting with Theodore Freeman, who was killed in the crash of a T-38 in October 1964, there have been over 20 individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty while advancing U.S. space program interests. There have been two individuals (Gus Grissom and Peter Siebold) who were able to survive a problem that resulted in the loss of a space vehicle.

2. There are cost considerations to look at with space exploration. The cost of exploring space is one of the biggest criticisms of the efforts to launch a program that takes us beyond our planet. When the space shuttle program was active in the United States, the total cost of the launch was about $500 million. That figure does not include the expenses of postponement that often occurred because the conditions were not right to send a rocket into space.

Manned missions in our solar system could cost 10 times that amount, and that might get us to Mars or one of Jupiter’s moons. Technology advancements in recent years could make this issue cheaper for the next generation, but we should ask ourselves if spending billions on space exploration is the right thing to do if we have people dying of hunger on our planet.

3. Astronauts receive exposure to natural dangers while in space. If the launching process doesn’t kill you during a manned space exploration effort, then the natural dangers that are present outside of our planet’s atmosphere could become problematic in a variety of ways. The radiation that comes from the sun is a constant danger to astronauts when they are in space, and the weightless environment can change their physical conditioning. Experiments with identical twins, with one staying on our planet and the other spending a lengthy assignment in space, show that there are changes at the cellular and genetic level that occur with space travel as well.

4. Current space exploration efforts could be a one-way trip. When we sent astronauts to the moon, our technology provided them with a chance to land on the surface and return to their spacecraft. It is possible that we could perform a similar action for asteroids, moons around other planets, and other celestial bodies that do not have an atmosphere. If we are going to start exploring Mars, then that journey could be a one-way trip for the astronauts.

Even if this journey does not become a one-way trip, the amount of time necessary to reach a destination beyond the moon makes it virtually impossible to mount a rescue mission if something goes wrong. Our current vision of space exploration requires perfection to create a successful result.

5. There may not be a reason to start exploring at this time. Human cultures have always had a fascination with exploring space because it satisfies our need to learn more about the universe. Taking long-distance pictures with the Hubble telescope is not the same as visiting the location in-person. What we must ask ourselves right now is if there is a valid reason to begin this effort, and the truth is that there are few pragmatic applications to consider.

We could start mining asteroids for their raw materials and mineral content in the future. Planetary colonization could be necessary in future generations. Since we are still dealing with issues like crime and poverty here at home, addressing our immediate concerns might be better than looking at future needs which might never be necessary.

6. Unmanned probes are even a waste of resources. One of the ways that we attempt to limit expenses with our space travel needs is to send unmanned probes into the dark vastness that lies beyond. There have been some successes with these efforts, most notably the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 missions that allow us to peer outside of our solar system. This option allows us to almost eliminate the risk to human life entirely as well.

There are also disadvantages to consider with this approach, starting with the fact that there is little adaptability to changing circumstances. The Mars Climate Orbiter is an excellent example of this problem. When it received incorrect coordinates for landing, it burned up while entering the atmosphere before sending any data at a cost of more than $120 million.

7. Our current information is well out-of-date. On February 22, 2017, NASA announced that it had found seven planets the size of Earth in a single solar system. Three of the planets were in the so-called Goldilocks Zone, which means they are at a distance from their star that is not too hot and not too cold. It is called the Trappist-1 group, and this set of planets lies in the Aquarius system. That’s about 235 trillion miles away, which is at least a measurable distance.

The problem is that this planetary system is 40 light-years away from us. That means the information that we can observe right now took forty years to get to our scientists. Think about all of the changes that have happened in your life in just the past 5 years, and then apply that concept to a planetary scale. When we start exploring space, we must take into account that this delay is present so that we don’t fly into an unexpectedly dangerous situation.

8. It may lead us into future conflict with beings who have superior technology. Space exploration makes us think in noble terms about what lies in wait for us in the universe. When we sent the Voyager spacecraft into our solar system and beyond, there were two records placed on the devices to communicate with whoever might find them to let that intelligent life know that we exist.

Most theorists who seriously consider the pros and cons of meeting alien life say that there are only two possible outcomes that can occur with first contact. That alien species will either be so advanced that their technological presence as led to a peaceful society where an exchange of information may one day be possible, or it will be aggressive and want to access our planetary resources.

9. Space exploration creates a lot of trash around our planet. There are over half-a-million items of trash from over 50 years of space travel and satellite placement which orbit our planet right now. Unless these items fall into the atmosphere and burn up, they will stay in place forever. The ring of debris that we have created makes space exploration more dangerous because an impact with a ship’s hull could have deadly results. We will need to clean up this mess in the future to provide better safety to our future explorers, and we have no idea what the expense might be.

Verdict on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

Space exploration is beneficial even if we only look at it through the lens of hope. It is an idea that unites us as one race instead of over 190 different countries. We can proceed into the universe as one people, taking the first steps toward new experiences just like we did when we placed astronauts on the moon for the first time.

Explorers always face danger, and space is no exception to that rule. The vacuum of the universe was not meant for humans, which means we must constantly adapt and protect ourselves when we are outside of our atmosphere. Then there is the risk of an encounter with alien life to consider too.

The advantages and disadvantages of space exploration must come from a common sense perspective. Other races could harm us, but there is also the possibility that we could be dangerous to other life as well. We should continue with these efforts, but with the understanding that this work is not a race. It is a cooperative effort that will eventually define our humanity.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

Essay by naadia   •  March 15, 2013  •  Essay  •  717 Words (3 Pages)  •  10,364 Views

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Since human beings first appearance on Earth, curiosity has always acted as a force of human nature which is the predominant factor that today's knowledge of science and technology has its grounds on. Accordingly, space exploration is one of this curiosity's outcomes that some people claim that more money should be allocated in this field of science in order to understand more about space, the universe and its system, trigger new inventions in science and find alternative planet to live on.

There are many reasons why space exploration has become a necessity as it has been found that a number of benefits of space exploration exist. Some of the areas in which the benefits have been seen are scientific research in various areas, uniting the nations of the world, delving for possibilities for future human survival and above all communication in various areas that range from the military to the telephonic conversations.

Furthermore, though such space explorations have faced flak for over expenditure, especially in such financially low times, the critics have been silenced by the supporter of space exploration. According to them the benefits of space exploration are so many that it is definitely a boon to mankind and for a more comfortable and convenient life. Some of the benefits that space exploration can lead to include predicting natural calamities like floods, storms, hurricanes and even wild fires with the help of the satellites that are well equipped to provide information.

Additionally, some of the other more important benefits of space exploration include agriculture and forecasting the weather. It helps man to survey the earth and its resources. The weather forecast today has a high accuracy level and this accuracy has helped in preventing a lot of calamities from causing damage. Besides weather forecast the satellites put up on space, are also able to predict the quantum of agricultural yields, information regarding infestation by pests of various kinds and a complete geographical analysis of the area that is to be cultivated. Such geographical analysis also helps in identifying the minerals and metals ores that are buried in the depths of the earth. Till recently unfathomable, these areas have now become potentially rich resources for the country in which it is located.

Moreover, some of the satellites are pressed into service for monitoring the movement of a ship and aero planes for their safety and efficiency. It goes without saying that the USSA and the USA have made tremendous progress as far as space exploration is concerned. Today, it has become possible for them to make use of satellites for minatory reconnaissance. For this purpose, they have put satellite fitted with cameras and devices for detecting radio and radar transmission. With such help they can easily find out minatory activities in every minor detail.

In addition, other areas that have had great benefits of space exploration

Home — Essay Samples — Science — Space Exploration — Benefits and Challenges of Space Exploration

Benefits and Challenges of Space Exploration

• Categories: Space Exploration

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Words: 1457 |

Published: Apr 8, 2022

Words: 1457 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Works Cited

• Boddy, J. (2019). The human challenges of deep space exploration: Radiation, isolation, and exploration. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 90(8), 698-703.
• Cockell, C., & Crawford, I. (2019). The human exploration of the solar system: A review. Microorganisms, 7(9), 289.
• Congress, United States, House Committee on Science, & Space Subcommittee on Science, Technology, & Space. (1991). U.S. human spaceflight: A review of the Bush administration's space exploration initiative. U.S. Government Printing Office.
• Dansberry, B., & Li, N. (2019). The international space station: Benefits for humanity. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 90(8), 687-690.
• Davies, R. (2019). The new space race : Mining the moon and Mars. Nature, 571(7766), S24-S26.
• Garvin, J. B. (2019). Lunar surface exploration: Humans and robots working together. American Geophysical Union.
• Gohd, C. (2017). Stephen Hawking: Humans must leave Earth within 100 years or face extinction. Space.com. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/37582-stephen-hawking-human-extinction-colonize-space.html
• Griffin, M. R. (2017). Toward a global strategy for human spaceflight. The Space Review, 12(4).
• Setlow, R. B. (2019). NSRL future directions for deep-space exploration: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Space Radiation Laboratory. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, 90(8), 675-678.
• Whitwam, R. (2018). 8 ways NASA has changed your life. ExtremeTech. Retrieved from https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/187049-8-ways-nasa-changed-your-life

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What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Space Exploration

Space research has many advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages are that many discoveries have been made due to space research. This knowledge can help us become a more developed society and it helps the economy. Space research can benefit us by discovering technology that will help us with our lives. Technologies have been discovered thanks to the space program such as Teflon which is a non- stick cook wear will continue to improve our lives. Space research and exploration may help us discover new elements and minerals that could help earth by provided things like medicine.

Essay Example on What Are The Disadvantages Of Space Exploration

These studies will help us to become a more developed society and is one reason why space exploration and research is helping for our society. Space research and exploration is also very valuable for the economy because it provides jobs and tourism. Many jobs are required for space research for example scientists, engineers and even manufactures that can help in make parts for the space program.

Space research also can improve Australia’s tourism because people will come over here to look at our space programs especially scientists. Space research and exploration is not only good for knowledge but also the economy.

Space research is also important because earth may not be able to continue to be a sustainable planet because of things like global warming and nuclear wars. It is extremely beneficial to study space so that we can find a life sustaining planet that we may be able to evacuate to.

Proficient in: Astronomy

“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”

This an example of why space research is important in sustaining humans and other life forms. On the other hand space research has some extreme disadvantages. These disadvantages are that we should fix earth’s issues and the detrimental environmental impacts.

The first major reason against space research is that it is incredibly expensive and we should be spending this money on more important things. Space research is incredibly expensive and may achieve no direct benefit. The money should be spent on earth’s issues rather than trying to know more about the universe. The money could be spent on fixing world poverty, health and education but instead it is spent on knowing more about space. This seems terribly unfair and appalling because people are dying and we our spending money on space.

We should be fixing earth’s issues before wanting to know more about space. The second major reason is that space research can have some detrimental impacts on the environment. The space Industry uses millions of tons of coals every year which waste gas, like carbon dioxide, discharged into air annually, resulting a series of environment problems such as ozone hole and acid rain directly. The space program is harmful for the environment and the environmental impacts will only continue to rise. Overall, I believe that space research is important but should not be put ahead of earth’s issues.

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Band 6+: Space exploration has been an ongoing field of research in the 21st century. What are the advantages and disadvantages of exploring space? Do you agree that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

In today’s digital age, space exploration plays a platform for many modern sciences and technologies as a whole. Therefore, the majority of people wonder whether space exploration should be maintained, invested in, or should be concerned with other issues on Earth. In my opinion, this exploration might have several disadvantages, however, the benefits of investment far outweigh the drawbacks.

The financial demands of a space expedition require a huge amount of money from the participating nations. To clarify, the space probe will certainly require a lot of components, resulting in raising concerns about the cost of investment. For example, during Typhoon Yagi, the government can use large amounts of money for research to address shortages and improve lifestyles in the country after a natural disaster. Furthermore, emissions from the space shuttle could accumulate in the atmosphere, leading to worse climate change problems.

Nevertheless, numerous scientific and technological breakthroughs can stem from exploring space. In fact, discoveries about the universe contribute to the knowledge that helps scientists create breakthroughs in many fields in general and science and technology in particular. For instance, the appearance of satellite, which have provided WiFi and internet services globally, has led to improved means of communication along with precise forecasting of storms and hurricanes, saving millions of lives every year. Simultaneously,space exploration can solve the problem of energy depletion on Earth because it can exploit many valuable unknown resources in space.

From my perspective,the financial demands of space exploration are indeed enormous, however, the benefits are not small, such as weather forecasting. The consequences of natural disasters will be more severe than and claimed more lives imagined. In other words, space exploration will compensate for the shortcomings and promote the development of technology in the future.

In conclusion, although the disadvantages of space exploration are important concerns, the development of technological advancement and scientific discovery brings significant advantages to humanity. I believe that investing in these broader areas can not only prevent the impact of nature but also contribute to knowledge, innovation, safety for current and future generations.

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