Space exploration has carried first instruments, then people themselves, beyond the Earth's atmosphere, into a remoteness that until recently was hardly known or understood.
What scientists learn in space can lead to improvements here on Earth. One of the important aspects of the space exploration has been the technological advance we experience every day. We would certainly know and understand less about our solar system and universe without the probes and orbiting telescopes provided by space exploration.
Yet,thousands of materials left from space missions are still on orbit. Debris are constantly bombarding spacecraft and the International Space Station. Besides, space exploration is fraught with peril. Sometimes many millions of dollars and thousands of hours of work come to nothing.
Is space exploration worthwhile? What are the advantages and drawbacks of this adventure?
The discoveries and observations made from the Hubble telescope are staggering, and could never have been made from earth because of the obscuring effect of the atmosphere. Probes like Voyager, Pioneer, Viking, Pathfinder, Magellan, these and others have all changed our view of the solar system. With these probes and the new, powerful orbiting telescopes we have put in place, we are also learning about the many asteroids and their complex orbits.
Space exploration has given us more than knowledge about our galactic neighbourhood. This challenge has brought about great leaps in technology.
Millions of people are alive thanks to medical breakthroughs attributed to space exploration. Pacemakers have come through the evolution of power and miniaturisation of space components. Bioreactor, artificial hearts, cardiac monitors, diagnostic instruments or infrared thermometers are all space benefits. Devices built to monitor astronauts are now used to diagnose and treat patients suffering head injury, stroke, dizziness, osteoporosis or central nervous system disorders.
Smoke detectors, bar codes, quartz timing crystals or rechargeable batteries now in widespread use were originally developed for NASA. Bar codes developed to maintain a highly accurate inventory of space shuttle parts and other space system components are now used for pricing in supermarkets.Today’s world of the Internet and the Personal Computer would not be possible without space exploration. Before the 1960’s and 1970’s the idea of a small lightweight powerful computer was a dream beyond imagination. It was the race to place a man on the moon, which drove the need for smaller, lighter components and developed the microcomputer.
NASA's use of aluminized materials to serve as insulation for satellites and spacecraft leads to a revolution in reflective insulating materials ranging from survival blankets to wraps for water heaters and new types of interior home insulation. Extremely strong fire-retarding materials that were developed for use in the pure-oxygen air of spacecraft have led to a host of cloths used in fireproof clothing, accessories and firemen’s suits.
Thanks to the satellites provided by space exploration, we can communicate instantaneously with people on different continents, and broadcast to people all over the world. Navigation has been simplified. The Global Positioning System allows us to pinpoint our location anywhere in the world. Satellites lead to a development in industry. They have been used to find on earth oil, gold and other precious resources. Mapping every inch of the earth’s surface, satellites have improved the urbanization. Weather satellites have saved lives by giving advance warning of adverse conditions.
Space junk refers to all the pieces of debris that have fallen off rockets, satellites, space shuttles and space stations that remain in space. Debris can include screws, bolts, nonworking satellites, antennas, tools and equipment that is discarded or lost. They travel at extremely high velocity and can cause great damage.
Sometimes debris can enter the atmosphere and do not totally burn up. When this occurs, space junk may land in populated areas and cause loss of life or damage to property. Some satellites that enter the atmosphere have radioactive parts and can contaminate a very large area, costing a lot of money and hours to clean it up.
People have died to explore space on account of the many dangers, including highly explosive fuel, bad weather, malfunctioning equipment, floating debris or human error.
Lots of technological marvels we use daily are spin-offs from the research efforts involved in space exploration. Exploring is crucial to our knowledge and we cannot hope to understand the universe until we have been there.
Space exploration has the power to bring people together worldwide. Instead of aiming weapons at one another, Americans and Russians have worked on peaceful projects such as the International Space Station. As they cooperate in higher and higher intensity with shares of ideas, they understand each other more and more deeply. The result will never be negative, but always positive, as cooperation is always constructive.
Nevertheless, there have been accidents and people have died since we first explored space. We still mourn those who are lost. But we must learn from these losses to prevent future deaths. Sometimes we meet obstacles in pursuit of our goals. In overcoming them, we find new solutions to old problems.
Furthermore, we have not found life in space and we could be more interested in ocean. The sea offers raw materials, food and power supplies. Some algae have surprising protein values. We went seven times to the moon but only twice to the deepest place of the sea, where life does exist with little oxygen and light.
In my view, the money spent in space exploration is money well spent. Space represents our final limitation. Striving to master it, we are not stagnating. It only through the constant effort to learn and to achieve that we become vigorous, creative, bright and strong.
