United States Budgets Billions of Dollars for Space Exploration

Have you wondered why United States budgets billions of dollars annually for space exploration? Space exploration involves the physical examination of the cosmos by means of humans and robotic spacecrafts. It provides us with a valuable knowledge and understanding about matters and phenomenon in the universe that is used for human benefit. Moreover, space exploration is a capital-intensive project that requires a huge amount of human resource to implement. Although it may be expensive, there are enormous benefits of space exploration that protect and improve the quality of life on the earth. One of the primary benefits of Space exploration is that it led to the invention of weather and communication satellites. To begin with, weather satellites are used to monitor signs of climate change and natural disaster. Besides, it helps us to understand the process and impacts of weather variability. According to Kristine Rainey, An imaging system aboard the station, ISS SERVIR Environmental Research, and Visualization System (ISERV), captured photographs of Earth from space for use in developing countries affected by natural disasters ( 15 Ways). During the time of disasters, the analysis of images provided by satellites helps to alleviate the impact of natural of disasters such as wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and flood on the environment.

Furthermore, the importance of communication satellites cannot be overstated. It makes our daily activities such as using the car navigation system, internet, and mobile phone possible. In addition, communication satellites provide aircraft and ships with geo-positioning information. Furthermore, spinoff technologies are another benefit of Space exploration. To start with, spinoff technologies are those innovations, expertise, or techniques originally designed for space exploration that can be use in non-space applications. There has been advancement in the fields of health and medicine due to spinoff technologies resulting from space exploration. For instance, an eye-tracking device that is used in laser surgery to correct the eyesight was a technology developed for use in space. In addition, neuroArm is another spinoff technology in the medical field that was developed by the group of scientist for the united state space shuttle program have now become first world robotic arm capable of performing surgery inside magnetic resonance machine ( 15 Ways). According to Christopher Mcfadden, NASA and eminent heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey developed artificial hearts from the space shuttle fuel pump. It is a small 5cm long and 2.5cm in diameter pump that weighs 113 grams provided the most important answer to devastating cardiac diseases (23 Great NASA). There are spinoff technologies in other sectors such as ergonomics and telecommunication.

Moreover, memory foam that was at first designed for adaptable chairs for astronauts is now commonly applied to various applications from mattresses to other cushioning and the wireless mobile headsets we use today was initially developed for astronauts are all spinoff technologies in Ergonomics and Telecommunication sectors respectively. Though space exploration has many benefits, some may argue that it is very expensive; therefore, government should use the money to alleviate hunger around the world. Yes, it is true that the United State government is spending a lot of money on space exploration. Nevertheless, there are enormous benefits of space exploration. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA), in 2016 fiscal year, a total of $152.84 million in the NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) created about 2,132 United State jobs, added $149.7 million wages, and generated $418.8 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and $50.58 million revenue from annual tax.

In addition, the NASA's Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs created 280 jobs, added $55.2 million in economic activity, and generate $6.7 million federal, state, and local taxes in the 2016 fiscal year (2017 Economic Impact). Clearly, Space exploration creates jobs for our teeming population, boost the economy, and generate revenue for the government. Space exploration should be encouraged because it helps to solve earth problems. In conclusion, Space exploration protects and improves the quality of life on earth. It contributes immensely in solving some of the earth problems. Furthermore, satellites, spin-off technologies, and job creation show how beneficial Space exploration is to our planet. Moreover, analyzing the information from satellites helps in protecting our planet from the influence of climate change and natural disaster. Besides, the spinoff technologies from Space exploration help to improve the quality of life on the earth. In addition, Space exploration activities create jobs for our teeming population.

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