“Space --- the final frontier.” “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” Those phrases have echoed in the hearts and minds of generations of individuals. And many have worked tirelessly to achieve those accomplishments for mankind. Stepping onto the surface of the moon and now reaching out to Mars and other frontiers to advance the human race to unbelievable achievements. Where will the growth of such expectations and explorations lead?
I have personally followed the news events of various achievements over the years and have now begun to ponder the results that have been gained. Am I now saying that all the things that have been discovered, created, or developed within and around the space program been for naught? Certainly not! However, I would like to provide some “food for thought.” These comments may be offensive to some and for that I apologize in advance; however, I feel that these are points that need to be considered under the present economic world developments.
“Federal spending on the U.S. space program, especially in the 1960s, was considerable and characterized by almost unheard-of rates of growth. Outlays on space and science went from $0 in 1948 to more than $100 million in 1957 and peaking at $7 billion in 1967. “ (https://billofrightsinstitute.org/activities/was-federal-spending-on-the-space-race-justified )
Since that time billions have been spent by governments around the world on space faring projects. However, now the majority of space exploration is being shifted to the private sector with individuals like Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and Jeff Bezo and their investors “footing the bill”. The untold billions that they have spent (along with perhaps others) to “get their feet wet” (so to speak) venturing into space with their various programs cannot be truly understood by the “average” person.
Again, while the achievements are fantastic and have, in some respects, been beneficial to advancing mankind in areas of technology, science, and perhaps medical fields, many speculate that these humongous costs could have been spent on the more immediate needs of humankind right here on planet earth.
I am, by no means, an expert on the needs of humankind at this time, but I can see what people are going through with unemployment, health issues, child care, education, housing, and many other areas of humanitarian need. When a person can’t find work, or put enough food on the dinner table for their children, they are probably not too impressed that William Shatner (or any other person for that matter) was boosted about 65 miles into space for a trip that lasted just over 10 minutes.
Many would feel that the BILLIONS of dollars spent and the yet billions more that will be needed to truly advance the exploration of space could have been spent on present human needs. Others would say that the expense will be well worth the advances that will be made. Who may be correct, I am not the one to say? Only time will perhaps provide the answers to those questions.
Some people may look forward to the exploration of other planets in the fashion that was highlighted in the television series “Stargate SG-1.” In this concept, after the government learns that an ancient alien device called the stargate can access a network of such devices on a multitude of planets and in space, a program is set-up for various teams to explore the galaxy and defend the earth against various alien threats. Such a discovery and use of such a device may prepare humans to “take their place” as an advanced civilization within the realm of other intergalactic races. Of course, these assumptions carry many “fantasy” aspects as they do possible scientific ones.
If, as some conjecture, we are not alone in the universe, perhaps there are those who do not want humans reaching out to become part of their “neighbors.” Perhaps such beings may feel as one of the races did in the Stargate series when it was said by Anteaus of the Nox: “The very young do not always do as they are told.” We may be very young in comparison to other species that MAY be somewhere in our universe (or in another universe).
Or we may be surprised by a visitor like
that as shown in the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) when Klaatu
made his final speech before departing our world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASsNtti1XZs ) In dealing with any or all of these possibilities
one tremendous hurdle remains: The problem is and will continue to be: We’re Only Human!
QUOTE TO CONSIDER
"Why explore outer space?
I have enough space within my head
that will take years of exploration!"
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