🚀 $93 bn Space Mission: Justified?
Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent on space exploration each day. Why are we not using this money for other more important things?
The night sky, the vast infinity of space, the multitude of worlds around us and yet just out of reach: these things have always fascinated humans.
Now, our dreams gained wings and to fulfil our curiosity of exploring the outer skies, we launched space exploration programs.
One such program that was going to be launched yesterday by NASA: the Artemis mission to the moon.
🌝 Back to the Moon
The Artemis mission by NASA includes four sets of launches.
The first of these launches will not include any astronauts. Just three dummies (literal dummies) orbiting the moon for six weeks to test radiation levels in space. It was set to launch yesterday but has now been postponed to the first week of September.
The second time around, NASA will send astronauts as well, but they won't land on the moon, just wave at it for six weeks and come back.
It is on the third mission, when NASA is fully convinced that the moon is safe, that astronauts will land on the moon.
Yes, for the first time in over 50 years, humans will be back on the moon.
And this whole affair is set to cost $93 billion!
Insane, right?
Now, to some of us space-loving dreamers, this cost may be justified.
But to many others, this may seem too much!
After all, there are so many other causes that this money could have gone for.
We could end world poverty for just $175bn each year.
We could end world hunger for $7bn-$265bn per year.
And we're spending money on space programs? Seems a bit ridiculous, no?
Well, let us tell you that it absolutely isn't.
🤔 Why Space Programs Are Important
Space programs cost a lot of money and release a lot of pollutants. But many of these programs are very important for us and the economy.
Wondering how?
If you're hearing this using wireless earphones, you have NASA to thank for it.
Our phone cameras, GPS systems, solar cells, infrared thermometers, CAT scans, water purifiers and several other items that we use in our daily lives are all a gift of these space programs.
Huh?
You see, space is a scary place: low gravity, filled with vacuum, no fast food restaurants or even toilets!
So, when we set out for space, we had to figure out ways to survive.
To ensure we had drinking water, we developed water purifying systems, so astronauts could filter their urine and drink it safely.
To track the spacecraft, the GPS system was enhanced.
To protect astronauts from freezing space temperatures, we created lightweight warming gear.
And to capture the beauty of space, digital cameras were born.
These innovations are responsible for bringing in millions to the US economy each year.
In fact, just in 2019, NASA had an economic impact of $64.3 billion dollars on the US economy. Each US state benefited from this.
That's not all. Space research has also solved a lot of medical issues.
Thanks to microgravity, proteins grow in a much more purer form in space. This helps us understand diseases better and helps create innovative drugs for them.
Space research has also helped create digital imaging breast biopsy systems, tiny transmitters to monitor the foetus inside the womb, laser angioplasty, and so much more.
What’s more? It is also trying to solve our food crisis!
India, and a huge part of the world, is facing a shortage of wheat and rice as many crops failed due to heatwaves.
Now, unless we completely solve global warming, this problem is going to get worse each year.
Result? Rising food prices and low supplies.
But plant species grown in space could help prevent this.
You see, plants are not supposed to grow in the hostile environment of space.
Despite this challenge, some of them do manage to survive, thanks to astronauts and scientists.
And these plants that have survived space, find it super easy to deal with Earth's challenges like heatwaves and droughts.
So, space helps us create climate change-resistant plants, which will be super necessary for our survival.
But even with climate change- resistant plants, our future on this planet is getting more uncertain day by day.
So, we need to find a potential new home for humankind: space.
🏘️ A New Home for Humankind?
The moon is the important first stop for us to explore the vast universe and beyond.
Recent explorations have shown that our Chanda mama has some water and ice on its surface.
This could be huge for us. This water can be used not just for drinking, but it can also be broken down into oxygen and hydrogen.
The oxygen can help astronauts breathe and hydrogen can help us power further missions into deep space.
Once we have the moon, the possibilities are endless.
So, you see, space exploration isn't just about putting a man or a woman on the moon. It isn't just about hoisting a country's flag in the outer skies. It isn't just about quenching our endless curiosity.
It is an extension of mankind's desire to constantly make lives better. To constantly aspire for the greater good. To constantly provide a source of hope for a better future.
After all, against all odds, we hope.
⚡In a line: You may think space missions are a waste of money, but next time you're getting a CAT scan or using your wireless headphones, be sure to thank the astronauts.
🍿Food for thought: Should India also grow its space program or do we have bigger problems to solve right now?
💡Quick question: When do you think India will be ready to send astronauts to the moon?
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