The space race was one of the forms of non-violent competition between the US and the USSR during the Cold War. The space race has its origin from the nuclear arms race between the two nations shortly after the end of world war II. The space race was characterized by launching automated space robes to the moon, launching artificial satellites into space, and human space flight to the moon. The space race was very significant to both nations during the cold war. The space race was used to display technological superiority, which was seen as a national security show and a symbol of both nations' ideological supremacy.
The space program remains relevant because as more space exploration is done, we can understand the most fundamental questions regarding our universe and the origin of the solar system. By understanding these fundamental questions, we can expand and increase our knowledge of technology, which aids in developing new tech-related industries and the growth of the existing ones.
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Although they have proven to be very costly, space programs have their range of benefits to the US economy. One significant benefit of space programs is that it has led to the telecommunication sector's massive growth. This is because space programs have enabled the transfer and broadcast of information globally, leading to massive revenue gains for telephone and television companies. Space programs have led to the growth of significant US economy sectors such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and information sectors. Consequently, Space programs have created many employment opportunities throughout the United States, as many people are employed in these developing sectors (Dyson, 2019). Space programs have aided the US economy in overcoming certain environmental challenges. Through space programs, the United States can warn people and businesses of looming climatic changes such as hurricanes. Such is due to improved weather forecast accuracy brought by better knowledge of the ocean behaviors, which is gained from spaceborne observation of seasonal changes in the ocean and tide mechanisms. As a result, businesses can prepare early enough and take the appropriate emergency actions, thereby saving them great losses. Space programs have tremendously improved the agricultural sector through enhanced weather forecasting, thereby giving farmers optimum crop growth conditions. This has led to minimal losses experienced due to natural calamities like hurricanes, boosting the agricultural sector. Space programs have made many young American students get more interested in science. Space programs have encouraged students to study science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (Dyson, 2019). This has fostered innovations among young people, which have been used in addressing different challenges in various sectors of the US economy.
Space programs have brought great benefits to the world. One benefit is that it has enabled easier communications throughout the world. The development of satellites has enabled overseas calls, which would otherwise not be possible without space programs (Crawford, 2016). Moreover, space programs have enabled countries across the world to take action on climate change. This has been possible as countries can now use satellites to monitor climate change signs such as rising waters and melting ice (Crawford, 2016). With prior information, countries can take the necessary precautionary measures. Space programs have enhanced cooperation among countries as countries test things in space and see how people and objects react in space. Space programs have encouraged biomedical research through space experiments about human health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles and improved medical technologies (Crawford, 2016). Space exploration remains dominated by the world's leading nations due to their expensive nature. Many middle-level economies in the world lack the necessary funding, coupled with a lack of technological expertise, making it difficult for them to venture into space programs.
References
Crawford, I. A. (2016). The long-term scientific benefits of a space economy. Space Policy , 37 , 58-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2016.07.003
Dyson, M. (2019). 10 Ways the Space Program Has Benefited America. The Ripon Forum , 53 (3). https://riponsociety.org/article/10-ways-the-space-program-has-benefited-america/
