Space Travel-Interview

[zacaguirre]

Hello, My name is Taylor. I am a 6th grader. We are doing a Science Project in Science class on controversial subjects. Mine is about space travel and whether or not its a waste of money or important for us here on earth. I need to interview a professional/expert on the subject and was wondering if you could take a few minutes and answer some questions I have for you? I am interested in answers from both sides.<br /><br />1. How do you feel about the space travel program and do you think its important for us to go to space? Please explain.<br /><br />2. What kind of things have we found to be useful while up in space?<br /><br />3. Do you think the money which is spent in the space program is used wisely and not wasted when it could be used for things here on earth?<br /><br />4. Do you believe that someday humans may be able to travel to Mars or possibly live there?<br /><br />Thank You for your time!!!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Taylor

 

[qso1]

I'm not an expert but I have done extensive research so I'll take a crack at it.<br /><br />1.<br />Probably the most important thing that can be done in space, especially near term, is getting industrial activity off Earth and into orbit in order to maintain Earths ecological balance. One other item of importance, discovering if there are other intelligent species out there. We will never know if we are alone simply because the Universe is too vast for us to explore in its entirety.<br /><br />2.<br />Technological spinoffs, especially in the areas of medical research. Microminiaturization for Apollo for example, has led to micro computer chips, medical devices like defibrilators which were virtually unthinkable even when Apollo was in full swing.<br /><br />3.<br />For me the easiest argument. I believe the money is used wisely. Sure it could be used for people here on Earth...but one must ask, would it be? Can we trust our government to directly allocate cancelled NASA money to where it should go?<br /><br />Furthermore, look at the nations deficits year after year. They dwarf NASA spending (NASA annula budget $17 B, deficits $200-400B annually depending on what year). Any money saved by cutting NASA is wasted many fold by deficit spending alone. I won't even get into other wastes.<br /><br />4.<br />Probably by the time you are a young adult if private industry gets the inexpensive access to space problem solved. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[zacaguirre]

Thank You qso1!! I really appreciate your help!!<br /><br />Anyone else who may feel differently on the subject?<br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[search]

Well I am also not an expert on space travel...<img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br /><font color="yellow">1. How do you feel about the space travel program and do you think its important for us to go to space? Please explain.</font><br /><br />There are several countries which have space programs but only a few have done space travel and even fewer have done man space travel.<br /><br />To date USA, USSR (Russia today) and China are the only countries which have put man in space on their own. Other countries have used others space programs to do it however, like European Union countries and others through ESA and NASA.<br /><br />From the 3 mentioned only one is currently in real conditions to declare to have "space travel program" and that is Russia because they are sending astronauts and tourists into space but I know that your question was ment to be "Space Exploration Program" and then it is USA who takes the lead.<br /><br />Space Exploration Program is a great endevour from mankind and we should always be gratefull for all the people working for NASA.<br /><br />Why is it important?<br /><br />Can you imagine what would have happened if Vasco da Gama would not have tried to find the way to India going south and then east? Or if Columbus would have decided not to try to find the way to India going west? Or if any of the navigation discovery age explorers would have just decided to stay at home?<br /><br />We probably would not be here talking over the internet.<br /><br />The fact that we explore is a human quality and the more we explore the better we become. And now that Earth is beginning to be almost completly explored (with exceptions of the oceans) it is time to go out and explore the space.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">2. What kind of things have we found to be useful while up in space?</font><br /><br />We find how other worlds can be and how they evolved and we find also how our universe is. We may even one day find another planet similar to