1.
High Costs with Limited Immediate Returns:
Astronomical Expenses: Space exploration is incredibly expensive. For instance, NASA's budget is
approximately $25 billion annually, and specific missions like the Mars rover can cost upwards of
$2 billion. These figures represent substantial financial investments with uncertain returns.
Speculative Benefits: While space exploration has led to some technological advancements, the
tangible, direct benefits to the average person are minimal compared to the costs. The potential
for future discoveries, like colonizing other planets or mining asteroids, remains highly speculative
and far from being realized.
According to the World Bank, 84.6 % of the world remains in poverty. If even a certain percentage
of the amount spent on Space Exploration is used for the betterment of people, the amount of
people in poverty globally, would reduce by a lot.
2.Damage to the environment:
Not only do rocket engines emit greenhouse gasses but also chlorine and particles of soot and
aluminium oxide that destroy ozone. According to the NOAA (North Ocean and Atmospheric
Administration), a 10-fold increase in hydrocarbon fuelled launches, which is plausible within the
next two decades based on recent trends in space traffic growth, would damage the ozone layer,
and change atmospheric circulation patterns. Rockets also leave behind space junk which can fall
back to Earth and land into oceans.
1. Exploration of Our Own Planet:
Point: There is still much to discover and protect on Earth, particularly within our oceans
and ecosystems, which require urgent attention.
Development:
o Oceans: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates
that more than 80% of the ocean is unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored. This
includes the deep sea, which holds countless species and ecosystems that could be
vital to scientific research, including the development of new medicines and
technologies.
o Terrestrial Ecosystems: Our terrestrial ecosystems are under severe threat from
climate change, deforestation, and pollution. These ecosystems are essential for
maintaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, and providing resources that are
critical to human survival.
Impact: Prioritizing the exploration and conservation of Earth's natural resources and
ecosystems offers immediate and tangible benefits, ensuring a habitable environment for
current and future generations.
2. Environmental Risks:
Point: Space exploration poses significant environmental risks, including the potential
contamination of other planets and harm to their ecosystems.
Development:
o Planetary Contamination: NASA and other space agencies recognize the risk of
contaminating other planets with Earth-origin microbes, which could disrupt
potential extraterrestrial ecosystems or interfere with our ability to study these
environments in their natural state. The risk of "forward contamination" is a key
concern in planetary protection policies .
o Space Debris: The issue of space debris is growing, with thousands of defunct
satellites, spent rocket stages, and other debris orbiting Earth. This debris not only
poses a threat to future space missions but also impacts Earth's orbital
environment, potentially leading to collisions that could cause further damage .
Impact: These environmental risks highlight the need for a cautious approach to space
exploration, emphasizing the importance of protecting both Earth's environment and that
of other celestial bodies.
Citations:
1. NOAA on ocean exploration: “How much of the ocean has been explored?" National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA
2. Climate change and ecosystems: "Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis."
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005. Retrieved from Millennium Assessment.
3. Planetary protection: "Planetary Protection." NASA Office of Safety and Mission
Assurance. Retrieved from NASA.gov.
4. Space debris: "Space Debris by the Numbers." European Space Agency (ESA). Retrieved
from ESA.int.
