Is space exploration worth the cost?

Abstract

In this study, the critical focus is evaluating the question, Is space exploration worth the cost? The research paper seeks to engage in an in-depth analysis of literature to determine the viability of space exploration as part of the justification for the damages. Based on the findings, it is evident that indeed space exploration can be justified from the position of outcomes and results when compared to the costs utilized. Researchers and scientists believe that the findings and conclusions of these explorations are of much more value for human beings when compared to the prices used for such investigations. This research paper hypothesizes that indeed space exploration is worth the cost margins utilized considering that most of the exploration projects focus on creating learning avenues for scientists and researchers. The research will seek to prove the hypothesis through engaging in a process from which to evaluate some of the key findings from some other researchers. The study aims to participate in an in-depth literature review to determine the validity of the research question.

Is space exploration worth the cost?

Introduction 

Space exploration has become one of the critical achievements for human beings around the world, as it has paved the way for a better understanding of the earth based on the exploration of other aspects of the universe. Through space exploration, scientists have been able to create primary avenues from which to project enhanced learning opportunities for researchers and scientists, as it becomes must easier for them to explore different elements or aspects that define the universe (Marklund, André, Lundin, & Grahn, 2004). The long-term effect that this is expected to have is that it will seek to build avenues from which researchers and scientists can find solutions to some of the critical problems affecting the world today. On the other hand, it is essential for the researchers and scientists involved in these projects to evaluate whether indeed their engagement in such projects is projecting the expected level of worth depending on the costs of such projects. Space exploration is a project that requires investments in different areas including research and development with the investments expected in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars.

The need to evaluate the viability of the space exploration projects is essential considering that failure to establish or understand the worth of the space exploration projects exposes governments and investors to significant financial losses. Consequently, this means that researchers and scientists must always be sure of the value that they are expected to gain from their exploration projects. That will help in defining their engagement in such projects considering that they are supposed to bring about better value for the entire society. In that view, this study seeks to engage in an in-depth analysis of literature to determine the validity of space exploration projects and programs focusing much attention on whether the value of these projects is higher when compared to the costs associated with the same. The study seeks to answer the research question, Is space exploration worth the price? The problem reflects on whether exploration of space, which is a crucial milestone for human beings presents or create a viable avenue from which to establish or bring about worth for an entire population. Space exploration is worth the cost considering that the value of such projects can be seen from the perspective that it creates a better avenue for learning while seeking relevant solutions to the problems affecting the world.

Research Findings 

Based on the analysis and review of the literature, seeking to answer the research question, it was evident that the question of space exploration remains as one of the contentious issues with opinions divided on whether these projects are worth the costs. However, one of the essential elements to note during the analysis is that a significant number of researchers and studies appreciate the idea of space exploration based on the value that it has brought about in the world. Space exploration has opened up new opportunities for the world concerning positioning it effectively to ensure that it achieves a specific avenue from which to maintain some element of success in supporting different aspects of humanity.

The analysis reflected on different perspectives to the question as a way of determining whether the space exploration is viable in one way or the other primarily focusing on the need to improve overall capacities for success achievement. The research analysis also reflects on the question based on the viability of the space exploration project, which would determine whether these projects are worth the cost. Additionally, the research analysis will also reflect on the perspective that these projects are not worth the costs. The expectation is to highlight some of the key aspects that would define these projects as not being worth the price. The discussion section will analyze the information presented within this section to determine whether these projects are viable regarding the expected cost margins associated with such projects.

Positive Factors Supporting Space Exploration 

Some of the critical factors that would support the idea of space exploration include:

Improvements in Technology 

Lal (2016) argues that counterarguments on space exploration reflect more on the idea that the costs of operation associated with some of these exploration efforts are so expensive attributed to the investments made in different aspects that would support the exploration efforts. However, it is evident that the investments through operational costs would act as a contributing factor to advancements in technology. Space exploration relies heavily on technology considering that this is the driving factor contributing to the success of the exploration projects. That means that the companies involved tend to focus much of their attention on research and development focusing on the technology to be used in the exploration efforts. Consequently, this creates a better platform from which to achieve overall improvements and advancements in techniques.

Through advanced technologies, the world can achieve improvements in different aspects of life, as it creates a better avenue from which to incorporate the advanced technologies in other areas to improve the quality of life. Some of the key areas where technology will be advanced due to space exploration include robotics and satellite imaging among others. These technologies may be utilized in areas such as healthcare among others, which seek to improve the expected quality of life for human beings. Lenfle (2016) supports the need for space exploration arguing that this would act as one of the critical elements that seek to build a better avenue from which to define the overall capacity for the world to achieve the expected technological advancements. From that view, it would be essential for the world to understand that the research and development process associated with space exploration does not only seek to define the exploration efforts but also works towards improving other areas.

Discovery of the Universe 

Another critical aspect to consider when evaluating the cost viability of space exploration is the level of knowledge that researchers and scientists are expected to gain from the exploration efforts. Early (2014) asserts the position that space exploration focuses more on the idea of examining the physical conditions on different masses other than earth, which paves the way for advancement in knowledge levels concentrate on the understanding of the universe. In that view, it is evident that space exploration is worth the operational costs utilized in these exploration efforts considering that the scientists and researchers find themselves in a position where they tend to understand the universe.

For example, researchers and scientists engaged in space exploration have found water on the surface of Mars, which is one of the planets within the solar system and believe that life can be supported in this planet. The critical expectation when engaging in space explorations is evaluating different aspects of the universe including their abilities to sustain human life among others. Thus far, the exploration efforts have been very successful in making discoveries considering that they have been able to achieve the best possible expectations regarding advancements in knowledge. From such explorations, it becomes much easier for scientists to make discoveries focusing on different aspects of the universe, which paves the way for a general improvement in life.

Economic Advantages of Space Exploration 

Although the cost of space exploration increases significantly depending on the exploration efforts, one of the critical aspect to note is that these costs are utilized on earth as part of ensuring that the exploration efforts achieve success. That means that these costs tend to have notable economic advantages in some of the countries where the researchers and scientists engage. Most of the costs associated with space exploration play a key role towards improving specific areas such as manufacturing, as well as, research and development considering that these are the two areas impacted significantly by space exploration. Insurance companies also gain considerably from space exploration, as they are well positioned to offer insurance to the space explorers and the equipment used in the exploration efforts. That acts as a clear indication of the economic advantages that space exploration may present for the world.

Another critical area impacted significantly is on the field of employment considering that the companies and organizations involved in space exploration tend to offer significant levels of work to thousands of people, who determine the success of the projects. Some of the critical positions advertised when engaging in projects that seek to pave the way for space exploration include engineering among others. Consequently, that means that it becomes much easier for the companies and organizations to offer high levels of employment, which would have a wide array of economic advantages for the countries involved. Murthi, Sankar, & Madhusudhan (2007) indicate that approximately 6,000 people work in different space exploration projects in the United States, which is a significant contribution to the country's economic positioning. Further investment in these projects will mean that countries will achieve the best possible financial advantages, as this would pave the way for better capacities for the employment and investment in different sectors of the economy.

Success Rate of Space Exploration 

On the other hand, it is essential to evaluate the success rate of space exploration efforts, which seeks to determine the viability of these projects regarding meeting some of the set-out goals and objectives. Coopersmith (2012) explores some of the space exploration projects conducted in the last 50 years including space exploration on the moon among other masses on the universe to determine their success regarding meeting their set objectives. Each of the space exploration projects tends to have a different goal or purpose, which determines the success rate of the project. From the analysis given, one of the key aspects to note is that the success rate of space exploration is more than 80% for a majority of these projects.

Consequently, this means that space exploration is indeed very successful regarding ensuring that the projects match the set goals and objectives, which is very important in determining whether the projects are viable. Based on the statistics associated with some of these projects, the critical aspect to note is that most of these projects tend to have very high levels of success focusing on their key objectives. That means that more investment in space exploration, the higher the expected levels of an achievement considering that funding is one of the critical determinants of success. From that view, it is evident that governments and corporations have a crucial role to play in their investment towards the space exploration projects as a way of ensuring that they achieve the expected levels of success.

Public Interests 

When engaging in any given project, one of the critical aspects to consider is the level of public interests gained from these projects primarily focusing on whether these projects are viable from the general perspective. Moltz (2012) reflects on the space exploration projects from the standpoint of the public arguing that the crucial role of these projects is to explore ways through which different aspects of humanity can be improved. Through space exploration, researchers and scientists find it much easier to deal with some of the critical challenges that the world is experiencing. The knowledge gained through the space exploration projects also paves the way for a better avenue from which to utilize the knowledge towards creating a transformation in different sectors of the economy. Determining the levels of public interests gained from these projects is essential, as it seeks to create an avenue from which to discover whether the projects are viable towards improving the quality of life.

One of the critical areas that have gained significantly due to the engagement in the space exploration projects is engineering, as engineers have been able to discover new material that can be used in different engineering projects. Engineers find it much more comfortable in their bid to a discovery of new content considering that the exploration of new environments helps towards increasing the understanding of how these materials can be used in different areas of engineering. In that view, it is evident that space exploration is indeed worth from the perspective of public interests, as it becomes much easier to handle some of the critical challenges affecting the world.

Potential for Discoveries 

Through space exploration, researchers and scientists can gain new knowledge and discoveries depending on the areas of development, which, in turn, seeks to change the way the world perceives these discoveries. It is equally important to evaluate the potential of these discoveries to determine whether they are worth the cost. The first notable potential of these discoveries is that they would be of value in the development of new resources that would be used towards making life better for humanity. Miller (1984) argues that space exploration has been noted as being one of the critical areas of science that have helped in shaping a wide array of areas based on the discoveries made through these explorations. Some of these resources include minerals and rocks, which play a central role in defining different aspects of the world including the quality of services that people receive from these resources.

One of the key examples that would support this position is the discovery of water on Mars, which meant that the planet could be able to support life. If the researchers and scientists extend their research on this particular resource, the potential will be extensive considering that this will help reduce the pressure on the resources on earth. Through increased investments in space exploration, the discoveries made would increase significantly, which, in turn, will seek to change the way in which these discoveries are used in the world. The expected outcome is that the world will be in a better position to utilize these discoveries for the betterment of humanity. From that perspective, it is evident that space exploration is indeed worth the costs used in such projects, as these projects seek to define discoveries for the world.

Negative Factors in Space Exploration 

On the other hand, it is important to evaluate some of the negative factors that would seek to disown the position on space exploration being worth the costs associated with such projects. Some of the critical elements include:

Problems in the World 

The crucial first factor that disowns the idea of space exploration is the fact that the world is experiencing a wide array of the issues that the money may be used to deal with or handle much more efficiently. For example, the problem of climate change is one of the environmental issues affecting the world today with millions of people exposed to risks associated with this issue. Critics of space exploration argue that engaging in space exploration only seeks to extend the problem being experienced in the world, as these funds could be redirected towards other areas to ensure that the world is made better.

Although space exploration is expected to project critical long-term benefits, the problem affecting the world are immediate and require immediate efforts and commitment towards the achievement of set goals and objectives. Thus, this means that most of the critics will believe in the fact that space exploration is a waste of resources that can be used to deal with some of the issues affecting the world today. In the example of climate change, lack of funding remains as one of the problems affecting achievement of success in this particular environmental issue, as it creates a situation where countries do not have the money that would allow them to implement necessary solutions. That means that redirection of funds from space exploration efforts towards such issues will be of benefit for more people.

Discussion 

Based on the analysis presented in the previous section, one of the key aspects to take note of is that space exploration portends both positive and negative factors that would determine its expected viability regarding cost margins. Space exploration creates some form of a dilemma on whether governments and multinational corporations ought to extend their investments to some of these projects when focusing on their outcomes. Governments are faced with the dilemma of determining whether space exploration projects are of more benefit to the world when compared to dealing with some of the critical issues affecting the world. One of the notable problems identified is climate change, which is an environmental issue affecting different countries around the world today.

The primary challenge for governments has been the determination of whether these projects would be of value for humanity or whether the governments would need to shift their resources towards dealing with issues of climate change among others. In response to this dilemma, it can be noted that space exploration is of benefit to the world, as it paves the way for increased investment in research and development. In the process, this paves the way for the development of new technologies that seek to change the way in which the world operates due to the extensive knowledge gained from these space exploration projects. That means that countries would achieve better capacity regarding their abilities to learn from the technologies used in space exploration.

Additionally, it can also be noted that space exploration creates an avenue from which different areas of study can be incorporated together as a way of promoting efficiency in these space exploration projects. The incorporation of the different regions of research including engineering and astronomy is essential for the world, as it will act as one of the critical elements that would help define or project a change in the world today. The long-term effect of this is that it will seek to create better capacities for the world, especially when trying to create a new outlook while focusing on some of the critical areas of study. The resources gained from these projects also play a central role in building capacity for different areas of research including engineering among others. Consequently, this creates the need for having to create a shift in the way people view space exploration considering that this would be of values towards increasing support for such projects.

The analysis also noted that the critics associated with space exploration tend to argue that space exploration is a waste of resources considering that it creates a situation where countries tend to hold different priorities. The priority for the various governments is to ensure that they develop useful structures to help build capacity for their people while changing the quality of life for the people. However, this is not the case when dealing with space exploration considering that engagement in space exploration projects do not portend short-term benefits for the world. Instead, the expected benefits from space exploration would only seek to benefit a few considering that only a few countries have the required skillset and workforce to allow them to engage in space exploration, thus, supporting the position indicated.

Based on the analysis conducted, the central aspect to note is that the positive factors supporting space exploration are much more viable when compared to the harmful elements indicated. Thus, this helps the position that engaging in projects associated with space exploration is expected to bring about more benefits for the world regardless of the fact that these benefits are long term. The analysis supports the view that space exploration is a project that countries and corporations would need to invest in as part of ensuring that they maintain or achieve necessary levels of success. Through space exploration, the world would be in a better position from which to redefine itself based on the knowledge levels gained through space exploration projected undertaken around the world.

Conclusion 

The costs associated with space exploration are high considering that the companies and organizations engaging in these projects tend to utilize hundreds of millions of dollars in their efforts. The long-term effect that this is expected to have is that it will seek to build avenues from which researchers and scientists can find solutions to some of the critical problems affecting the world today. For example, researchers and scientists engaged in space exploration have found water on the surface of Mars. Most of the costs associated with space exploration play a key role towards improving specific areas such as manufacturing, as well as, research and development. The expected benefits from these exploration projects are high, thus, supporting the position that indeed space exploration is worth the cost.

References

Coopersmith, J. (2012). Affordable access to space.  Issues in Science and Technology ,  29 (1), 57-62.

Early, B. R. (2014). Exploring the final frontier: an empirical analysis of global civil space proliferation.  International Studies Quarterly ,  58 (1), 55-67.

Lal, B. (2016). Reshaping Space Policies to Meet Global Trends.  Issues in Science and Technology , 32 (4), 63-74.

Lenfle, S. (2016). Floating in space? On the strangeness of exploratory projects.  Project Management Journal ,  47 (2), 47-61.

Marklund, G., André, M., Lundin, R., & Grahn, S. (2004). The Swedish small satellite program for space plasma investigations.  Space science reviews ,  111 (3-4), 377-413.

Miller, J. D. (1984). Is there public support for space exploration?.  Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development ,  26 (5), 25-35.

Moltz, J. C. (2011). China, the United States, and prospects for Asian space cooperation.  Journal of Contemporary China ,  20 (68), 69-87.

Murthi, K. R., Sankar, U., & Madhusudhan, H. N. (2007). Organizational systems, commercialization and cost-benefit analysis of Indian space programme.  Current Science (00113891) ,  93 (12).