TOPIC GUIDE: Space Exploration
"Space exploration is a waste of time and money"
PUBLISHED: 23 Jan 2015
AUTHOR: Rob Lyons
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INTRODUCTION
In the 45 years since Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, space exploration has continued to inspire awe and wonder around the world [Ref: NASA]. November 2014 marked the launch of the European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe Philae lander to the surface of Comet 67P, after a journey lasting 10 years, the first time such a landing had been made [Ref: ESA]. The landing inspired many to laud the achievement as a feat of human ingenuity and technological advancement, with one commentator proclaiming that: “Projects such as this one represent the best side of human nature” [Ref: Independent]. From this perspective space exploration is viewed as a good in and of itself, allowing us to expand our field of knowledge of the world, the universe and the origin of both. However, for all of its supporters, there are critics who suggest that space exploration is a luxurious waste of time and money. Opponents suggest that we would be better off using the skills and knowledge dedicated to space exploration elsewhere, with Gerard deGroot stating that: “Obscenely expensive manned missions, mean that practical, earth bound science suffers”, all for the sake of: “An ego trip to the moon” [Ref: Telegraph]. And with developing continents such as Africa [Ref: Guardian] and countries such as India [Ref: The Diplomat] now beginning their own space programmes, there has been growing alarm that space exploration is distracting us from tackling real world problems such as poverty, education and global warming. How, critics argue, can space exploration be a priority amid such pressing concerns [Ref: Financial Times]?
DEBATE IN CONTEXT
This section provides a summary of the key issues in the debate, set in the context of recent discussions and the competing positions that have been adopted.
An expensive and dangerous distraction?
Commentator Michele Hanson notes that: “...down here we’re on our way to hell in a handcart, battered by plagues, floods, famines, recessions, cold wars, blazing hot wars, displaced hordes, ruined lands and seas and general wretchedness, while they fritter their cleverness, energies and billions, poking about on a rock about 300 million miles away….never mind our origins, what about our future”[Ref: Guardian]? Why spend millions, if not billions, on space flights when, during the course of the last century, critics ask, deforestation has taken place at a rate of 50 football pitches per minute [Ref: Guardian] - shouldn’t we look after our own planet rather than attempting to leave it? One writer answers this by cautioning that: “The urge to explore and push ourselves out into the universe, is not mutually exclusive from the effort to improve our own minds and environment” [Ref: CNN]. Moreover, although it cost £1 billion to finance the Philae mission, supporters observe that it actually cost half of what it costs to build a modern submarine, and: “...has been spread over 20 years of scientific and industrial activity, creating thousands of jobs” [Ref: Guardian]. And for scientists such as Stephen Hawking, space travel is far from being an irrelevant and costly distraction - it is absolutely vital because: “...the human race has no future if it does not go into space” [Ref: Guardian]. Tied in with the issue of expense, the inherent risks involved in space exploration mean that it will always be controversial [Ref: EdQuestScience]. Even American space scientist James Van Allen admits that to many, space exploration: “...is vicarious”, and asks if: “...the great national commitment of technical talent to human spaceflight and the ever present potential for the loss of precious human life are justifiable” [Ref: Guardian]. But in the wake of the recent Virgin Galactic accident [Ref: BBC News], supporters still claim that we should not be put off, because it is only after mistakes and corrections that we achieve our goals: “...because that’s how progress happens” [Ref: Mashable.com].
Human ingenuity or Superpower posturing?
Space exploration: “Speaks abundantly to our sense of human curiosity, of wonder and awe at the unknown” states Michael Griffin - in short, it inspires us [Ref: Air&Space]. As human beings, advocates point out, it is in our nature to explore, to overcome and conquer our environment. And the fact that we have managed to send the Rosetta probe a distance that equates to more than five times the distance between the Earth and the Sun, is evidence of this ingenuity [Ref: Independent]. Some of the technological advances made thanks to space travel have also impacted on our everyday lives: memory foam is used to manufacture prosthetic limbs, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is widely used in medicine [Ref: Space.com], and many other innovations [Ref: The Journal] were developed as a result of space exploration [Ref: NASA]. For example, in the 60 years since the first satellite, Sputnik 1 was launched in 1957 satellites have become central to our everyday lives [Ref: BBC News]. But others point out that historically the space race had more to do with international rivalries than science, innovation or human achievement [Ref: Cold War Museum], and was not: “...undertaken for the sake of knowledge, but (was) intrinsically tied to the military industrial complex” [Ref: Guardian]. One observer notes that it is: “Tacitly acknowledged” that “...there are obvious military applications to India’s space programme” which allied to its ballistics system, shows the world that it has long range missile capabilities [Ref: Russia Today]. In light of this, the start of a new space race is viewed by some as being between growing super powers China and India [Ref: Telegraph]. With America also showing its ambitions in December 2014, when NASA’s Orion system was sent into orbit with the aim of going back to the moon and, eventually, to Mars [Ref: Telegraph]. These developments prompted space exploration supporter Giles Whittell to admit that much of these: “...extraterrestrial activities are all about terrestrial swagger” rather than scientific innovation [Ref: The Times]. Even if this is true, it could still be argued that for all the Cold War logic behind them, the moon landings, for example, still inspire as a beacon of what can be achieved with technology, expertise and innovation, even 50 years on [Ref: National Geographic].
Space and the developing World
For critics, space travel: “Is a luxury which (India) cannot afford”, and instead, it: “...should be diverting more funds towards the alleviation of poverty” [Ref: Daily Mail]. For a country in which two-fifths of children suffer from malnutrition, and where half the population lack proper sanitation, is space exploration really what developing countries such as India should be concentrating on? “What if the 16,000 scientists and engineers now working on space development were instead deployed to fix rotten sanitation?” one publication asks [Ref: Economist]. With several African nations which receive aid from the UK, such as Nigeria, launching space programmes there are suggestions that Britain should not be subsidising: “...a space programme for a country in which more than 70% of the people live below the poverty line” [Ref: Daily Mail]. In response, supporter of new space programmes Priyamvada Gopal insists that: “Inquiry and exploration are not the prerogative of advanced capitalist Western nations” [Ref: Guardian]. An example of the fruits of this inquiry and exploration, is that a fierce monsoon in October 2014 killed very few people, compared with a similar strength one in 1999, which killed more than 10000, due in large part to improvements made to India’s weather satellites [Ref: Economist]. Furthermore, for developing countries, space exploration can show they are capable of much more than many outsiders would expect, acting as a: “...a shot in the arm for national self confidence” as one commentator puts it [Ref: Russia Today]. With all things considered, does space exploration signify the pinnacle of human achievement, embodying the spirit of innovation and ingenuity? Or, should we: “...keep a whole pile of dough for important and inspiring missions right here on earth” [Ref: CNN]? Is space exploration a waste of time and money?
ESSENTIAL READING
It is crucial for debaters to have read the articles in this section, which provide essential information and arguments for and against the debate motion. Students will be expected to have additional evidence and examples derived from independent research, but they can expect to be criticised if they lack a basic familiarity with the issues raised in the essential reading.
Ending manned space exploration is the right thing
Steven Weinberg New Statesman 8 February 2010
NASA
FOR
The comet landing is fascinating, but what about the state of our own planet?
Michele Hanson Guardian 17 November 2014
Forget life on Mars; its life here that matters
Andrew Simms Guardian 3 June 2014
Amatai Etzioni CNN 17 August 2012
The space race is a pointless waste of money
Jeremy de Groot Telegraph 25 February 2009
AGAINST
The Rosetta mission shows us the very best of human nature
Joan Smith Independent 16 November 2014
Tim Appleyard The Times 16 November 2014
Why this space story fills us with so much awe
Jonathan Freedland Guardian 14 November 2014
We are not chained to this planet forever
Tim Black spiked 29 August 2012
KEY TERMS
Definitions of key concepts that are crucial for understanding the topic. Students should be familiar with these terms and the different ways in which they are used and interpreted and should be prepared to explain their significance.
BACKGROUNDERS
Useful websites and materials that provide a good starting point for research.
African urged to support continent’s first moon mission
David Smith Guardian 5 January 2015
Life on Earth is in peril: we have no future if we do not go into space
Robin McKie Guardian 7 December 2014
Astronauts lift our spirits: but can we afford manned spaceflight?
Robin McKie Guardian 7 December 2014
Why should we go to Mars? Because its there
Giles Whittell The Times 6 December 2014
Pushing into space: not free, but worth it
Gene Seymour CNN 15 November 2014
Let’s take care of our own planet before we start messing around in space
Carol McGiffin Mirror 15 November 2014
Rosetta Mission: a triumph of human ingenuity
Guardian 13 November 2014
Rosetta’s success will illuminate the origins of life – it’s a billion well spent
Usama Hussan Guardian 12 November 2014
Space travel is dangerous. There will be no tourists
Chris Taylor Mashable.Com 1 November 2014
India’s impressive space programme
Sudha Ramachandran Diplomat 13 October 2014
India’s Mars mission could be a giant leap
Priyamvada Gopal Guardian 24 September 2014
Is space travel worth the money?
Conor Farrell The Journal 27 February 2014
Ilan Ramon: Remembering the Loss of Israel’s First Astronaut
jspacenews.com 29 January 2014
China’s Moon landing: the Space Race with India
Telegraph 14 December 2013
Why India’s Mars mission is about more than power and prestige
Sreenam Chaulia Russia Today 7 November 2013
How can poor countries afford space programmes?
Economist 4 November 2013
Four more African nations that get billion in UK aid launch space programmes
Jack Doyle Daily Mail 9 August 2013
Should we let go of our space fantasies?
John Horgan Scientific American 26 August 2012
Amatai Etzioni CNN 17 August 2012
India ‘Mars Fantasy’ defies earthly woes
Victor Mallet Financial Times 3 August 2012
Space technology in everyday life
Mike Wall Space.Com 31 March 2011
Why are we giving India £1BN in aid when they have their own space programme?
Gerri Geev Daily Mail 10 February 2011
Michael Griffin Air&Space Magazine 7 July 2007
Wikipedia
Risks and dangers of space exploration
EdQuestScience
ORGANISATIONS
Links to organisations, campaign groups and official bodies who are referenced within the Topic Guide or which will be of use in providing additional research information.
IN THE NEWS
Relevant recent news stories from a variety of sources, which ensure students have an up to date awareness of the state of the debate.
The space industry is growing- and looking for talented postgrads
Guardian 14 January 2015
Mars spacecraft may have found wreckage of doomed British Beagle 2 probe
Metro 13 January 2015
China’s space program reaches new milestone on the moon
Scientific Times 13 January 2015
NASA finds cause of rocket failure at Wallops flight facility
Daily Press 13 January 2015
Pioneering Dragon space mission aborted
The Times 6 January 2015
Major Tim Peake: how I became a British astronaut
Telegraph 5 January 2015
African’s urged to back continent’s first moon mission
Guardian 5 January 2015
Mission success for ‘Mars Ship’
Telegraph 5 December 2014
Philae lands safely on comet after ten year odyssey
The Times 12 November 2014
Branson vows to continue space project
BBC News 1 November 2014
Virgin Galactic Pilot killed in crash
BBC News 1 November 2014
NASA space station rocket explodes during launch
The Times 29 October 2014
USA ready to return to the moon
Telegraph 3 February 2014
NASA programme to provide new flood data risk
Telegraph 23 January 2014
Israel’s Mission to the Moon: Can a Small Country Win a Big Prize?
Time 8 March 2013
Space, the final frontier for peace?
Times of Israel 1 February 2013
Israel a leader in some areas of space exploration
Jerusalem Post 11 December 2012
Africa’s journey to space begins on the ground
BBC News 12 July 2012
Apollo anniversary: Moon mission inspired the world
National Geographic 16 July 2004
AUDIO/VISUAL
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