Why We Still Need the Space Programme

Survival seems far into the future, but there are some everyday devices that the space program can advance. The space program can be credited with hundreds of inventions that help us out every day. From Teflon frying pans to personal computers, from weather forecasts to heart monitors. The routine events which take place on board the space shuttles don’t attract much media attention, but they are creating technologies, medicines, and procedures which impact significantly our lives” (Garriott , Owen  “Our Vision” www.spaceadventures.com). In a time when safety is key, national defense can be enhanced with technology made by the space program. This new technology can only work in outer space, and gives the United States a real advantage over countries with no space program. “The 6,000 commercial airplanes that are aloft at one time during peak periods in the U.S. depend on satellite navigation for safe operation” (Spearhead, Pelton “Effort To Create Space Safety” ).  Global communications will continue to become more important as time goes on. Without this technology we would not be able to able to fly airplanes safely.  Every day our lives are advanced by the technology and inventions accredited to the space program.

Finally, what would the world be today if it weren’t for global communication?  The satellites that are maintained and built by the space program help to globally connect the world. These satellites allow for communications devices such as television, the Internet, radio, fax, and telephones. These devices allow for a connected world where communication is easy and ideas can travel. Business can be done quickly and easily from countries thousands of miles apart. “Over two billion of the six billion people in our world today lack formal education systems, health care services, potable water or power. The only way to provide global education and health care services in the coming decades at a reasonable cost with broad coverage is via space based communication systems” (Spearhead, Pelton “Effort To Create Space Safety” ).  Global communications will continue to become more important as time goes on.

Although it is apparent that there are many benefits to the space program, there are still people who feel that it is no longer needed. People feel as if the space program takes a lot of money to support and that the budget should be cut. The space program was originally started during the cold war so that the United States could keep up with the Soviets. Those days have passed and much of the support for the space program has gone with it. Many people also don’t feel an urgency to find a way for the human species to live on when the sun dies out, because that time is so far off. Warnings of cosmic collision do not spark any support either because the average person believes that the probability is slim. It seems that the majority of people feel that at this point money is more important than survival.

The space program has given us many great advances in technology, from everyday conveniences to protection from environmental threats. People need to understand all of the positive technological advances that come out of the space program and what this technology can do for people in the future. With all of the great devices that have already been invented, imagine how many more advancements our space program can make. Arthur C. Clarke, the author of 2001: A Space Odyssey once said, “The dinosaurs are not around today because they did not have space program.” This somewhat lighthearted statement has a good point to it. Without the space program people are in danger and in the end they will lose. It is vital that the United States continue to support the space program.

(Spearhead, Pelton “Effort To Create Space Safety” )

(Garriott , Owen  “Our Vision” )

(Dykewicz, Paul “Methods to Limit Space Debris May be 'Weapons” )

(Garriott , Owen “Commerical” )