Should U.S. space programs concentrate on colonizing space?

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Technology Debates

18 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
22% of users

  • All around better for everyone.

    At the moment, the human species is stuck on one planet. To preserve ourselves as a species, we must spread beyond the Earth into the local area of space, and from there into different solar systems, so that no single disaster can ever destroy our species. As technology improved, and space travel became much cheaper, colonies would turn much more of a profit. This would also eliminate the threat of running out of resources. As we proceed into space, our understanding of it will increase and we will learn much more about the universe. Space will also provide the space needed to conduct dangerous experiments we could never do on Earth. As resources begin to pour in from differen worlds, it would eliminate most economic troubles, and easy transportation to other planets would also eliminate the danger of overpopulation, however remote it may be.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Eggs and Baskets

    If we get the human animal off the planet, then we don't wipe out the species with one disaster. For the future of humanity, we should be learning to make, and to live in, space habitats. Right now our species could be wiped out by one asteroid.

    Yes Anonymous

  • Exploring space solves problems on Earth as well!!!

    Solving problems related to space travel/exploration, many of these solutions are also applicable to life on Earth. The Shuttle/ISS programs created many "spinoffs" which directly affected life on earth. For example, the life rafts that were used in the Apollo program are now available to sailors, and have saved over 450 lives! L.E.D's which now are used in flashlights, TV's, car lights, etc were all spinoffs from NASA. The list of Spinoffs is huge, just google it for yourselves. By pushing the boundaries of space exploration not only will we expand our knowledge and presence in the Universe, but improve lives for millions of people back on Earth.

    Yes Anonymous

  • By exploring space we expand our understanding, which can only be good for humanity.

    Only by expanding our horizons will the human race be able to survive. It is important we always push the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding in order to learn.

    Yes taidokas
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No
78% of users

  • The U.S. space programs should not concentrate on colonizing space because it costs valuable resources that could better used elsewhere.

    Present launch costs are very high, $2,000 to $ 14,000 per pound from Earth to Low Earth Orbit, and this could lead to space colonization that is excessively costly.

    No TastelessJordan

  • I do not agree that U.S. space programs should concentrate on colonizing space, because it's not a realistic or helpful goal.

    The U.S. government has enough on its plate, and it does not need to continue trying to set its space program on colonizing space. The space program needs to concentrate on working on atmospheric irregularities and nuclear protection, which are two very real threats. Taxpayer money should not go wasted on colonization of planets that only a handful of people have the capability to afford.

    No CowardlyVirgil31

  • The U.S. space program should not concentrate on colonizing space, because it needs to be more well-rounded.

    The U.S. space program should concentrate on everything, in general, when it comes to space, and not just colonizing. It needs to work on ways that would work the best in getting to and from the colony, as well as colonizing. It would also be important to find ways to get to other planets, as well.

    No eyeslikethat

  • U.S. space programs should not concentrate on colonizing space, because it is not necessary or viable.

    At this point in time, colonizing space is neither a necessary, nor viable option. It would be needlessly expensive to sink government funds in the research and development necessary to colonize space. And the benefits that stand to be gained in doing so do not outweigh the enormous related costs.

    No MannP4rk

  • No, I don't think that the US space program should focus on colonizing space because exploration is more important.

    I don not think that the US space program should concentrate on colonizing space. I personally think that the US space program should be concentrating in collecting data and exploring space scientifically. They should be pushing the envelope and trying new things. I don't think that society has the means or enough information to start colonizing space.

    No GilGrabs

  • Expanding knowledge can be bad if the consequences are unknown.

    Space exploration is too risky to be initiated yet. What we can do without expending the government's non-existent money is research and plan. Space exploration and colonization could be off in the near future, but only if we wait until the risks and factors are fully understood.

    No Anonymous

  • U.S. space programs should not concentrate on colonizing space because the costs are exorbitant.

    U.S. space programs should not concentrate on colonizing space because the costs are exorbitant. Throwing money into outer space colonies is wasteful, considering how many problems we need to spend money on right here on planet earth. There is no justification that would warrant spending money on researching space colonies because the U.S. is not even close to the point of being overpopulated yet. If it really becomes an issue, they might consider it but not until the far future.

    No JeffP4ri5

  • Since there is no dire overpopulation problem in the US, and since the US is currently in considerable debt, the US space programs should not concentrate on colonizing space.

    The only important purpose that colonizing space could serve would be to prevent future problems with overpopulation. At the moment, overpopulation is not a huge problem, especially not in the US compared to other countries, so it should certainly not be our priority. Though colonizing space could also serve the purpose of creating some sort of tourist attraction, the cost of flying to outer space is currently so exorbitant that only the super-rich would be able to afford it. Also, considering the gigantic amount of debt that the US is burdened with at the moment, it would be completely unwise to invest in such an expensive undertaking.

    No CesP5ych

  • I don't think colonizing space is possible or should be focused upon.

    I don't think the US space program should concentrate on colonizing space. Colonies are hugely complex and it is unlikely they will be able to control enough variables in a hostile environment to succeed on a large scale. They would do better to concentrate on preserving earth as a habitable space.

    No 5hiy4SaIem

  • Colonizing space is too impractical a goal to devote our resources to.

    I don't believe the U.S. space program should concentrate on colonizing space. Colonizing space is a huge undertaking, our resources would be better used on properly maintaining Earth. The only good reason to colonize space would be if Earth became uninhabitable. But, to achieve space colonization we would have to embark on the project long before the point of an uninhabitable earth was a reality. In fact, we might devote so many resources to preparing to colonize space that we bring about a situation that makes Earth uninhabitable, fulfilling our own prophecy needlessly.

    No KiPPConsPiracy

  • The U.S. should not begin colonizing space because there are more pressing issues here on Earth.

    The U.S. should not colonize space. Our primary focus and resources should be set on improving life on the planet we've already "colonized". Space colonization would be expensive, and creates the idea that we've already screwed up our own planet bad enough that we're moving on to the next. There are already "real" issues on this planet that could use funded. I would say space money would be better spent, on "green" technologies, or even solving world hunger. Space "colonization" seems impracticable, and unconscionably neglectful to our current planet of residence, Earth.

    No WackyDel

  • We need to concentrate our money, intelligence and effort on improving the infrastructure of this country, not colonizing space.

    It is time now to fix what is broken right here in our own country. This is not the time to be spending dwindling resources on space colonization. The space program should continue in a research mode, but money needs to be spent first here on earth solving problems that need immediate attention. Space colonization can wait until things are in better condition here.

    No 54IInferno

  • The focus of the US space programs should focus on finding new technology to help our current planet, not colonize a new one.

    It is more feasible that US space programs will be able to find new resources to help current energy crisis on planet Earth rather than finding new planets that the human race will be able to inhabit. These issues on our planet are more pressing that finding a new planet to colonize.

    No MyrBad

  • The level of technology is nowhere near making that possible.

    We don't have the ability to colonize space anywhere in the near future, and it might not be possible ever. So far, there have only been manned missions to the moon. The moon can't be colonized because there is no atmosphere and no water. It would be impossible to build anything on the moon or any planet without breathable air. I think the idea of colonizing other planets, or even a colony living aboard an orbiting spacecraft, is best left to science fiction.

    No N Schroeder 60
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