Space Exploration Persuasive Essay

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“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” is a phrase immediately associated with space exploration. Throughout the history or the Space Race, The United States and Russia have competed to put mankind in space and establish themselves as the frontiersmen of space, but why? Why do so many people have a fixation with space and traveling to outer space? Here on Earth, there are so many country-wide and global issues that time could be better spent focusing on. Some people may feel that traveling to outer space will give humans another planet to inhabit or give humans a place to better get along, but, according to David Livingston(Source A), a commentator about space exploration, they are incorrect. When contemplating space exploration, …show more content…

The cost to launch a rocket or spacecraft, man it from Earth, pay workers and astronauts, build a spacecraft, and ensure it is safe is tremendous. As well said by Russell Roberts of Source H, “As much as I like space and the idea of people on Mars, I don’t see the care for using taxpayer money to get it done. Don’t tell me about all of the spin-off technologies… Leave the money here on Earth”. The cost of space travel is boundless; Roberts introduces the idea that the money could be better spent on Earth. This is important to consider because of all the issues currently on Earth; there are health crises, wars, droughts, and food shortages. Because of these problems on Earth, the cost of space exploration needs to be considered most important because there are other uses for the money. According to Source C, a breakdown of federal spending, six percent of the federal budget goes to “all others”, which includes space travel. That money could be spent in other fields, like the health budget. The “health field” is currently saving lives of people with AIDS, those who have suffered strokes, and developing cures for diseases, as stated by Source D. So the question posed is if the cost of space exploration is worth it when there are other uses for this budget. Because of this question, the financial cost of spaces exploration should be weighed as one of the most important influences when making decisions about the space

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