Question

Why should we venture into space and travel to other planets?

Space research and exploration provide a wide range of direct and indirect benefits for humanity. The following list is based on information found on NASA’s main site: http://www.nasa.gov/qanda/why_nasa.html Knowledge - Space science missions produce basic knowledge about our environment, our solar system and the universe, which then gives us a deeper understanding of the history and the state of our world. With this new information, we can make better decisions about how to sustain and improve life on Earth in the future. Applications - Orbiting spacecraft transmit information like phone calls and television signals around the globe with extreme speed and precision. Other satellites monitor the weather and the health of the atmosphere, the dynamics of the oceans and the vitality of the land. Likewise, the unique conditions of weightlessness, temperature extremes, vacuum, and radiation create the opportunity for experiments and industrial processes that are impossible or impractical to conduct on Earth. Technology - Technology created to prepare systems and people to operate in the harsh conditions of space contributes to advances in composite materials, electronics, robotics, medicine, energy production, manufacturing, transportation and many other areas of human activity. In many cases, these advances would occur much more slowly or not at all without the challenge of space exploration. Economics - The space program is a major component of the U.S. aerospace industry, which supports nearly one million jobs. The industry generates over $40 billion in annual exports and almost $30 billion in positive balance of trade each year. New industries have been built on the technology that made space exploration possible, including personal computers, advanced medical equipment, communications satellites, weather forecasting and natural resource mapping. NASA's high-technology research and development provide a return on investment by generating jobs, the demand for goods and services, and new opportunities as advanced technologies spin off into the private sector. Further in the future, space-based natural resources like metals, minerals and energy likely will become a key component of life in the 21st century. Inspiration - The urge to explore the unknown is part of human nature and has led to many of the most profound changes in civilizations. It enriches our spirits and reminds us of the great potential for achievement within us all. The physical challenges and costs of space exploration also serve as a natural catalyst for peaceful international cooperation, improving the quality of life for people in many different nations. Anna Lee Strachan, NASA Astrobiology Institute
May 1, 2002