Why do we need a space program?

[Arkiehawg]

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

http://www.kli.org/tlh/sounds/Heghlu'meH.auHeghlu'meH QaQ jajvam.........

 

[DuneAHH]

At some point, we are going to run out of room.

Philosophically, what is the purpose of man if we cease to explore and learn?

Right you are... but despite evidence to the contrary we're not yet just mindless robots who can't "breathe" in and out with our cyclical economy. SO WHAT it "X" was allotted to NASA 8 years ago when our economy was brightly dynamic? Our viable long term govt. funded programs (and our elected officials) need to learn to breathe with the budgetary parameters of the times... same as we individuals have to do.

I am a strong advocate of a space exploration program. For the past 50 years we have learned a tremendous amount through space exploration that has helped us in medicine, communications, geology, physics, etc. In Florida, it has provided a positive economic impact through tourism and jobs. 30a is correct that exploration is necessary for the future of mankind not only in expansion of our civilization but also for necessary resources to support civilization.

Now stating all that, perhaps it is time to work effectively at privatizing the space program. All of these items are NOT dependent on extensive government control. In the 1960's it was necessary for the government involvement, but times and capabilities have changed.

IMO, I believe that 20-25 years from now space exploration will primarily be privatized with governments contracting for services.

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YES!
Also... did I miss something? Because from what little I can perceive, we have OCEANS right here on our very own beautiful planet that we seemingly know less of than outer space. If that's true (& I am not merely guilty of having blinked the other way) then there is a potential question of immediacy and ROI.

 

[Jdarg]

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

LuciferSam, for those of us who use mobile devices to read Sowal- we can't see your avatar. Can u share your reasons in writing?

Re-read my post. I was commenting on something that happy2bme wrote---

 

[Bob]

Just to be politically fair, how long could we fund them at current levels with the money spent on Bush's unnecessary war?

i believe we could all have gold encrusted jetpacks to bring democracy to uranus

 

[Gidget]

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

And because it is The Final Frontier

 

[scooterbug44]

When I think of all the money we outright waste, a program like NASA that pushes the boundaries and inspires people seems pretty minor.

For example, the entire NASA budget is 1/3 of what we pay each year for fraudulent Medicare claims. I'd rather see us cut THAT than stop sending up shuttles, maintaining telescopes etc. Cut waste before actual programs.

Robotic vs. manned also seems to be one good way to save $$.

 

[wrobert]

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

LuciferSam, for those of us who use mobile devices to read Sowal- we can't see your avatar. Can u share your reasons in writing?

NASA spinoffs, space benefits, space history, NASA space spinoffs, NASA technology products

 

[Geo]

NASA spinoffs, space benefits, space history, NASA space spinoffs, NASA technology products

You had me at Dustbuster.

Glad I asked the question. SO...
I walked away with the insight I was looking for. I believe we should chill on the manned flights but there is obvious tangible value in the continued funding for exploration.

Thx!

 

[Em]

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

You are probably aware that we haven't put people on the moon since the early 1970's only a few years after the first moon walk. Are you referring to manned space missions? Our best research comes seems to come from unmanned space missions like Hubble and the Mars rover mission.

Why was the race to space started? power, ego, posturing, and the perception of security. I guess you could ask why people drag race cars and get a similar answer on a quite different level. If you go back to the late 1950's, the Soviets launched Sputnik into orbit around Earth. They then tested some rockets which scared the crap out of the US, with the idea of potential surprise attacks on the USA from space by the Soviets. So, the USA had to ramp up their space program. Whomever leads space, has ultimate power over all other countries, at least in theory from a standpoint of firepower. Want to be scared? Do some searching and learn about the number of human-made satellites orbiting Earth. Then, search some more about the huge building on Eglin AFB which monitors all objects around the Earth.

With the costs of such missions, it likely takes some entity like the gov't to be able to print the money for the missions. Companies like Virgin or Google might take us there in the future, but the gov't doesn't want everyone playing around above our heads, so it is easiest if they can control things, or at least have a big hand in the say so.

 

[Em]

Just to be politically fair, how long could we fund them at current levels with the money spent on Bush's unnecessary war?

That isn't completely fair. If it is Bush's war, it is also Obama's war. Obama promised to bring the troops home in his political rhetoric, but instead, he increased the number of troops. In complete fairness, you could say it is OUR war, since we elected the guys.