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I have seen a lot of talk both in my circle of friends and in the social and mainstream media circles about the space program.  Some of the talk focused on the large price tag that comes with a focus on the space program.  These people generally come to the conclusion that the money spent on the space program could do more good elsewhere.

This seems like a very valid point, especially in this day in age.  We’re in a decent size recession and there are a significant number of people around the world suffering.  Why in heck should we be funding a trip to the moon?  After all, it is a place we’ve already been!  I believe this viewpoint is very shortsighted though.  Here’s why.

First, the space program has either created or significantly pushed forward technologies that are crucial to our economy.  One of the most well known would be the semiconductor.  The space program was one of the influences that pushed the semiconductor forward and now the semiconductor, and things based upon it (i.e. computers, software, etc.), make up a huge chunk of our economy. The space program also created the technology at the base of:

• Cordless power tools
• Smoke detectors
• Home insulation
• Lasers (for surgery, etc.)
• LEDs
• Pill Sized Transmitters
• Camera on a chip
• Body imaging
• Oil spill control
• Alternative food production methods
• Firefighter breathing system
• Jaws of life
• Global communications
• Historical document and painting protection
• and many more…

Second, the human need to explore should not be pushed aside. Exploring new frontiers is in our genes and we should continue to push the boundaries.  I am not sure a world where humans were not continuing to explore would be a healthy place for any of us.  Along the same lines I think the exploration of space does a lot of good for the world from the standpoint of giving us perspective (for more on that see my post on Sagan’s Blue Dot).

Third, and my last point, I think suggesting that the space exploration budget could be better spent is only partly true.  Could the money be given out to people who need shelter, food and other human essentials.  Potentially.  However, I don’t think handouts are what we need.  If microfinance has shown us anything it is that the poor can help themselves by creating businesses and these businesses are sustainable.  Handouts aren’t sustainable.  Do we need handouts for some things, sure, but I don’t think the difference that would be made by diverting the space exploration budget elsewhere would be as big as people think.

I am curious to hear what you all think about this.  It is certainly a debate that splits the country and one that I am sure will be argued for quite some time.

Bonus point (my 4th point): space exploration inspires future scientists to be scientists.  I am sure there are a number of scientists who have done a lot of good for the world that were inspired to dedicate their lives to science because of the space program (although I don’t have any data for this).

Addendum (9.23.09)

After re-reading this post a number of times it occured to me that I did not touch on a crucial issue in this post. I do think that NASA is very inefficient. That said, perhaps the funding that goes to the space program, specifically the manned missions piece of the program, should be pushed out to private sector entities (like Space-X) that do the job better, faster and cheaper.

The function that NASA does really well, and that we should continue to fund indefinitely, is scientific research. They have those processes down to a science (hahaha). Manned space flight, however, is another story.