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Valerie Perez
Ron Christiansen
English 1010
04/13/2019
Should space exploration continue or should we put our focus on Earth?

There is debate between whether we should continue space exploration or if we should focus
on exploring and fixing our current planet. There is multiple point of views within this topic, one
saying that space exploration will help us learn new things and possibly hold our future.
However, others reject that notion and state that the money and time spent should be directed
towards earth. The third argument I will explore is; we should continue exploration in space
however we need to limit some of their experiments.

Space and earth the most interesting places to humans, holding centuries of mysteries and
answers. The question was asked if space exploration should continue or discontinued to focus
on earth. Both topics of research impact lives of humans today and tomorrow. What we hope
to discover is what is most important at this time, what will benefit humans the most.
Space exploration should not be questioned and should continue, is the passionate view of
many NASA employees and supporters. They have found research that shows how beneficial
space exploration continuous to be, not only those within the profession but to many including
the earth itself. Space experiments and research are useful to events that occur on earth. Along
with helping our current planet, they believe if space studies continue, we could possibly find a
new planet to inhabit and grow. The final reason to this viewpoint is the simple fact that space
exploration is more than just research, it is hope and it feeds human needs.
Space indirectly impacts everyone on earth. Many scientists and public writers have
commented on the impact of the satellites that are orbiting space “The agency's satellites use
their vantage point to perform a wide range of research, from measuring the salinity of the
oceans and the impact of flooding on soil in Texas to the effects of volcanoes and wildfires on
the world's ecosystems” (Kiger,2016). Kiger gave a list of the many thing’s satellites do for earth
and the people within it. They have seen changes in climate and dangerous weather
phenomena being tracked and studied due to the constant observation of these satellites. This
protects earth from any oncoming hazardous events. In addition, space exploration has helped
humans by employing over 17 thousand, found in research done by NASA. It has given them
purpose and income to help themselves and their families. All this helps earth and its
inhabitants every day, that is why the fight for space exploration continues.
Space exploration does much more, it allows humans to have hope. Space exploration is about
learning and growing; humans tend to be curious. Curiosity drives humans to find explore and
seek knowledge. It pushes people to be the best version of themselves, it gives them hope to be
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more than what is offered on earth. There is a variety scientist, sci-fi lovers, and even children.
Their imagination and wonder feed their need to explore the unknown, space has many stories
and theories it allows people to keep dreaming and hoping for more than they are given. There
is a strong belief that without space exploration it may negatively impact people’s aspirations. It
is explained well in this quote from a Nasa Official, “The intangible desire to explore and
challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided benefits to
our society for centuries.”(Dunbar, 2013). This is more than a physical need, however, has been
described as a mental even spiritual need for hope.

There is the fight to completely discontinue space exploration because earth should be
prioritized. Within this argument there are many reasons that go along and strengthen the
view. Some of these reasons include the questioning of what should be explored space or our
oceans. Along with that, is the argument that expresses the un-justification of money being
spent on space while there is poverty, and suffering. It also goes to show the failures of some
experiments made for space exploration, due to that failure the stop for exploration is justified.
Finding the unknown and unexplored can be a mission on earth. A known source of life and
need for survival for all living organisms on earth is our oceans. It has been discovered that 95%
of oceans have not been explored today. Which has many wondering why we haven’t made
stronger efforts in exploring the ocean as we have with space. There are claims that the ocean
benefits us much more than space has ever, and is a large part of earth ecosystem. As Ocean X
Founder said “I believe that ocean exploration is more exciting and important than space
exploration,” (Ray Dalio) all people can acknowledge the large impact oceans have on animals,
plants, and humans there should be as large of a want and need to uncover the oceans as there
is for space.
Space exploration does cost a significant amount to keep running, as well as to continue
explorations. Stated in multiple articles 20 billion dollars are spent yearly on space exploration.
The cost is high and could be placed in other areas. Charities, religions, and other groups have
commented on the money being placed to feed the poor, the hungry, and the suffering. There
are third world countries that need help, the time and effort can be placed to aiding people in
need rather than in an empty space. Money can be spent on food to feed starving children, and
on clothes to warm the poor. People are fighting space exploration as an unnecessary cost; they
question the importance of space exploration. And ask if human life is second to space
exploration.
There are people who side along to continue space; however, doubts do exist within their
belief. They live in between both views of this debate. This third argument I have researched is
of those who would like space exploration to continue with limitations. They believe space
exploration is beneficial however some of their experiments and choices are unethical. They are
fighting to eradicate humans being used for space travel and experimentations.
In this viewpoint we have discovered the debate of limiting space exploration to fix ethical
dilemmas. One unethical view is sending human astronauts to space to test experiments and
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explore. This sacrifice that people have chosen to make has been marked immoral, for them to
have to choose. There are groups that fight for the elimination of human space travel. They
claim that there should be no reason for humans taking the risk for space exploration. Robots
and drones have been perfectly engineered to be able to be sent to space and survive in the
rough living environments. They can observe and report back to earth, showing that the actual
need for humans in space is unnecessary. Some have gone far enough to accuse the space
programs of sending humans as a publicity stunt. This is all said in hopes to protect human life,
from going to space and risking their lives. These groups do not think space exploration should
be completely denied but limited and restrained.
With the viewpoint of limiting what is acceptable during space exploration comes the request
to avoid humans in space to save life. Not human life, however extraterrestrial life, or the
potential of life in space. This quote is found in an article to fight for alien life, “Beyond
contamination, ethical questions must also be considered about human intervention and
research of potential alien life.” (Miller, 2017), Miller is trying to help any alien life survive
without the influences of humans. She believes as done in human history we will contaminate
sources of life and effect it. By sending humans to space they have the potential of disturbing
life or the process of life that is currently in motion. Miller offers the option of avoiding humans
outside of earth to protect them from human destruction or disturbance. This ethical question
is based on all life human and non-human. All life should be protected this can be done by
restriction set within space exploration.
After much research and personal debate to the question, Should space exploration continue or
should we put our focus on Earth? I have come to agree with the first view, yes space
exploration should continue. There were many strong arguments that all have some views in
which I agree with, however I found myself disagreeing with many of those same arguments. I
started out thinking we should stop exploration of space to focus on our current planet. All to
learn that in different ways space exploration does help earth. It may not be as clear and
obvious as everyone would like, however the help is there. As mentioned above space
exploration helps us track climate change or any oncoming dangers. It can track and constantly
observe any changes that we should be aware of to protect our surroundings. Another major
reason which has impacted my opinion is the argument used about the cost of space
exploration. In the article, Shouldn’t We Fix the Earth First, they touch base on this exact
concept, “The world spent nearly $750 billion on cigarettes in 2014. NASA’s total budget is less
than $20 billion, and Elon Musk thinks he can start sending colonists to Mars for less than $10
billion” (Cain, 2016). Cain does well to dissect the argument and fight it with facts, we are
fighting for a better life, however we can’t even stop promoting an addictive, cancerous,
tobacco. There are many other examples like this, however the strongest argument I can fight
for is the fact that we are humans, we cannot stop our curiosity to learn, explore, and grow. As
it is a flaw it is also one of our strongest traits, this is what pushes us to do more, be more.
Knowing that there is more out there, fills our minds with wonder, and hope; if this is taken
away, what can we hope for? This comes down to more than the commonly asked question “is
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it worth it?” because there is no doubt it’s not. It comes down to asking ourselves, are we
willing to continue to spend money, time, and effort to prove to those living on earth that we
are powerful forces that can and will achieve anything we set our minds to? Because when we
ask that question, we know the answer can only be yes.
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Work Cited

Lockhart, Jhaneel. “Is Ocean Exploration More Important than Space Exploration .” Roaring
Earth, 2017, www.roaring.earth/oceans-are-less-explored-than-space/.

Cain, Fraser. “Shouldn’t We Fix the Earth First?” Universe Today, 13 Oct. 2013,
www.universetoday.com/131376/shouldnt-fix-earth-first/.

Kiger, Patrick J. “Why It's Important That NASA Studies Both Earth and Outer Space.” How Stuff
Works, 2 Dec. 2016, science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/science-questions/why-nasa-earth-
science-budget-matters.htm

Pinkerton, Sarah. “Space Exploration vs. Earth Preservation .” LC Howler, 9 Feb. 2016,
www.lchowler.net/618/opinion/space-exploration-vs-earth-preservation/.

Dunbar, Brian. “Beyond Earth Expanding Human Presence into the Solar System.” NASA, 30 Sept. 2013,
www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/why_we_explore_main.html#.XMUjyGhKhPY.