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Do you think we should spend money on space exploration?
Even a fraction of the money spent annually on space exploration could save millions of people in poverty-stricken countries, and improve living conditions for future generations. The foundations of the world we live in are largely based on science and it is indeed vital to extend our knowledge of the universe.
Why we shouldn’t send a manned mission to Mars?
Not only is Mars very far away, it also lacks breathable air, usable water, and protection from the sun. A round-trip to Mars would take about 18 months, and there isn’t enough room on current spacecraft to carry all the food, water, and other items humans would need to survive.
Can a mission to Mars be justified?
Viewpoint: No, a manned mission to Mars would be an enormously expensive enterprise with insufficient return to justify it. Mars has long been an object of peculiar fascination. As one of the nearest worlds beyond Earth, it is naturally one of the most accessible for visitation by robot or manned spacecraft.
Why government should spend more money on space exploration?
Space exploration is a better use of money than the military is. The government spends lots and lots of money on the military (in the billions), on getting better guns, better air forces, better weapons. It wouldn’t even cost as much to explore as it would spend on the military.
How much did it cost to go to Mars?
The mission is expected to cost $2.7 billion, rising to $2.9 billion when inflation is factored in. Despite the seemingly high cost, Perseverance is only the third most expensive Mars mission, trailing Viking 1 & 2 and the Curiosity rover.
How much does it cost to go to Mars?
It certainly doesn’t come cheap. It’s hard to calculate a total price tag, but over the 48 years that NASA has been launching missions to Mars, Americans have spent a significant sum. The Viking missions alone cost nearly $1 billion – in 1970s dollars.
Is it time to cut NASA’s Mars funding?
Curiosity, as the Mars Science Laboratory rover is known, is over budget at $2.5 billion. Some in the federal government have suggested it’s time to roll back the spending. President Barack Obama ‘s fiscal plan for 2013 would cut NASA’s funds for Mars exploration from $587 million to $360 million.
What is it like on Mars?
At an average distance of 140 million miles, Mars is one of Earth’s closest habitable neighbors. Mars is about half again as far from the Sun as Earth is, so it still has decent sunlight. It is a little cold, but we can warm it up.
Does it make sense to establish a long-term settlement on Mars?
“I do not think it makes sense to establish a long-term human settlement on Mars, only because it is not desirable as a long-term destination due to radiation concerns.” One of the biggest obstacles standing in the path of a human colony on Mars is the price tag.