Helmick 1

Trevor Helmick

Mrs. Barnes

English 112

24 May 2017

Space Exploration

The idea of exploring outer space has fascinated the human race since the beginning of

time. Although it has always been a major interest, humanity has never had the capabilities of

exploring outer space until recent years. Every year, organizations around the world are

constantly upgrading and innovating new and efficient ways to navigate through and explore

space. Slowly but surely, humanity is making strides towards colonizing other planets. Space

exploration is very important in order for mankind to advance as a whole and push the

boundaries of discovery.

Many scientists and astronauts feel strongly about expanding mankinds realm of

inhabitance. People such as Joseph Mascaro, associate in the Department of Global Ecology,

think that theres no reason humans shouldnt explore space; and there really isnt (Mascaro).

With the government spending money on countless other funds, it isnt much more costly to fund

a space program. The United States only spends 0.5% of its budget on its space program, which

isnt that much at all. Therefore, just as Mascaro said, theres no reason we shouldnt explore

space. When mankind isnt being held back by a lack of funds, exploring our universe is one of

the most beneficial things we can do. Also, by simply funding travel technology, it could benefit

vehicles on earth.
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Another reason that humans must explore space is for a backup plan. If the earth becomes

no longer inhabitable, mankind must migrate to and live on another planet. The sooner humans

figure out how to do this the better. It would be the end of mankind altogether if there no backup

plan was funded for the case of an extinction event (Johnson). Peter N. Spotts, from the Christian

Science Monitor, claims that space colonization is very expensive (Spotts). While this may be

true, it is the exact reason that space exploration must be funded over a long period of time. This

will allow for slow and steady progress that is affordable, and will allow for a readily available

backup plan if something were to happen to Earth.

A final reason that mankind must explore space is to move forward. If a people isnt

advancing and expanding, they are essentially moving backwards and away from progress. In an

interview, Gus Martzaklis, NASAs Product Assurance Chief stated that great nations stayed

great because they were constantly pushing the envelope. And if they didnt, at some point

they would fall. This is very true if you consider history and the most successful nations; the

ones that were constantly innovating and trying new things.

The common opposition for space exploration is that its impractical for now and should

not be funded at all for the time being. The reason why it needs to be funded now is because it is

uncertain when or if the earth will face a catastrophic event. It seems to be inevitable with all of

the threats Earth faces, and therefore needs as much time as possible to research a plan.

In conclusion, space exploration is still in the early stages and humans havent even

scratched the surface of what the universe has to offer. By increasing the amount of money spent

on space exploration, or universe will be comprehended faster than ever before, and the human

footprint will be left in places previously thought unimaginable.

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Works Cited

Johnson, Paul. "Humans Should Plan to Colonize Space in Case of Global Catastrophe." Space

Exploration, edited by David Haugen and Zack Lewis, Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context, ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/

Viewpoints DetailsWindow?

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Page=&dviSelectedPage=&scanId=&query=&prodId=OVIC&search_within_results=&p

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%7CEJ3010356223&windowstate=normal&activityType=&failOverType=&commentary

=&source=Bookmark&u=mass12242&jsid=07ae0b73dd728c87104a8b3a40657437.

Accessed 14 Nov. 2016. Originally published as "The Real Way to Save the Planet,"

American Spectator, vol. 43, no. 1, Feb. 2010, pp. 40-41.

Mascaro, Joseph. "Humans Should Resume Exploring the Moon and Outer Space." Space

Exploration, edited by Michael Ruth, Greenhaven Press, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints.

Opposing Viewpoints in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010989213/OVIC?

u=mass12242&xid=25fff1b1. Accessed 12 Jan. 2017. Originally published as "Following

Newt to the Moon," Thespacereview.com, 13 Feb. 2012.

Personal Interview. Konstantinos Martzaklis. 2 March 2017

Spotts, Peter N. "Space Colonization Is Impractical." Space Exploration, edited by David

Haugen and Zack Lewis, Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context, ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?
disableHighlighting=&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&currPage=&dviSelectedPage=&
scanId=&query=&prodId=OVIC&search_within_results=&p=OVIC
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%3AGIC&mode=view&catId=&limiter=&display-
query=&displayGroups=&contentModules=&action=e&sortBy=&documentId=GALE
%7CEJ3010356224&windowstate=normal&activityType=&failOverType=&commentary
=&source=Bookmark&u=mass12242&jsid=9e3b64d353514c09a0610d347d06a02a.
Accessed 15 Nov. 2016. Originally published as "A Reality Check on Dreams for Space:
The Repairs," Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2007.