Should U.S. space programs concentrate on colonizing space? |
Start before it's too late.
Space colonization and other efforts undertaken to make space habitable for mankind is an extremely daunting task. As our planet is rapidly running out of space and running out of resources, colonizing space is an eventual necessity. By the time we get to that stage, we may not have enough time to develop the necessary technology for an orderly transit from earth. To preserve our species we must think ahead of time. And really, space colonization requires us to think about it now.
Posted by: AnonymousWe cannot stay here forever, so we should look into colonizing space!
We have reached an age where the concept of space travel and even colonization is now becoming possible, and the only real reason we haven't advanced further as a species is strictly because of money. The people in control of that money have no understanding of how important it is for us to spread out into space. So many factors have appeared over the past 100 years that are making our survival on this planet more and more difficult. For example, think about when we started mining resources such as oil around 300 years ago. We're already running out! Now we have a growing population and that population needs for more and more power. Even with renewable resources we cannot hope to get everyone on the planet a comfortable amount of power (including the 3rd world countries). We cannot expect the 3rd world to deal with the reality they are given by fate - not when we have reached a level of technology that could allow us to create more space on this planet as well as give all the people on this planet a chance to advance human kind in ways never before seen and ensure the continuation of our species regardless of what happens here. There are many other factors to consider. Both long and short term effects cannot just be ignored. We should not let politics, agendas and fear get in the way!
Posted by: Ianfoster83Future manifest destiny.
Ever since America was created we were moving west from coast to coast no matter what was in our way. Once we hit the coast we started to build our buildings up. We started creating sky scrapers and large hotels with multiple rooms 50 stories high. So why are we stopping there? Now that we have reached our borders we have two options. We can either invade nation after nation, or we can explore beyond our planet, beyond our solar system.
Posted by: AnonymousStart before it's too late
Space colonization and other efforts undertaken to make space habitable for mankind is an extremely daunting task. As our planet is rapidly running out of space and running out of resources, colonizing space is an eventual necessity. By the time we get to that stage, we may not have enough time to develop the necessary technology for an orderly transit from earth. To preserve our species we must think ahead of time. And really, space colonization requires us to think about it now.
Posted by: AnonymousEggs 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.
Posted by: AnonymousThe U.S. space programs should begin concentration on colonizing space and technologies to help aid in colonization as it would greatly benefit our race and our planet.
As of now our government is juggling cost and benefit, war and peace, imports and exports, but what seems to be of least importance is resources and global health. Our planet is running low on room, resources, and the overall condition in which to support life and our technical, ever-growing race. New technologies, including alternative propulsion to current fuel rockets, are being explored, invented, and proposed every day world wide. In terms of living beyond our own atmosphere, there are many ideas to sustaining life comfortably but, most importantly, efficiently. If more attention was paid to these ideas, then we could begin the process to future colonization. The benefits include, but are not limited to, decreased population on earth, reduction in the use of our natural resources, cleaner air, as well as the practical applications of those technologies to our own way of life within our planet. Every individual would benefit from this. Costs are too high to begin this now, but in the near future the technology will be within reach. Concentrating on the subject now will save valuable time and money rather than waiting. The development of the new technologies to be used in space will not only be cost effective for space exploration but also for every day transportation and living here. I could go on for days explaining the benefits. Current problems should not have precedence over our future as a race nor the future of all known life on earth. This home will only last for so long, where would you want to be when we're handed a global or cosmic eviction notice.
Jeremiah BishopPosted by: AnonymousYes
The human race needs to spread out and start learning to live in new habitats. Someday the Earth might just become to crowded...then where will we go? Colonizing a planet would teach us so much about life and our galaxy! Yes, i think we should definitely concentrate on colonizing planets.
Posted by: Freedom_for_the_FutureYes, absolutely.
"Earth is the Cradle of the Mind, but one cannot live in a cradle forever." Forgot who said it, was probably Russian. Expanding into space would allow us to gain minerals from the moon, asteroids, and elsewhere, and it would also help us understand the beginnings of our solar system, and potentially even of the universe. Besides, our time on earth is going to be limited, and we better have the ability to evacuate when we need to.
Posted by: UnStupendousManHuman Survival Depends Upon It
What happens if a huge disaster occurs on earth? It would be VERY good if we had a planet to escape to and ensure the survival of the human race. Stephen Hawking himself said humans won't live 1000 years on earth alone. And Australia has found that it's likely that we will all perish in 300 years from global warming alone. What if a meteorite comes along before then? Or a nuclear war? We need to prepare for the future because the future is very dangerous for us.
Posted by: AnonymousYES WE SHOULD COLONIZE SPACE!
Yes we should colonize space. Space is the final frontier. Instead of wars, we should be concentrated on development as a whole. I wanna see a future where we can expand as a whole. Space offers Possibilities, like finding new types of resources and making discoveries that we could have never thought was even possible. Think about it, why should we be afraid of change? Change is good, thanks to change humans went from the days of caves to the days of technology. Though this is just my opinion, but Space is definitely a place I'd like to explore and colonize.
By Howard B Pampolino JrPosted by: AnonymousWe are running out of resources
We on earth are focusing on making things greener and trying to conserve our resources, but we have to face facts. We are eventually going to run out of resources on Earth, we need to start focusing our efforts on getting off earth and start to collecting resources on other planets. We have analyzed asteroids and they have resources that we can use, but when they land on earth they have very little use, since they are such a small quantity. If we get a space ship close enough to one that we can mine some of the resources then we can transport them back to earth. Thus crisis avoided
Posted by: AnonymousAll 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.
Posted by: AnonymousBy 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.
Posted by: taidokasEconomically invigorating.
The U.S. Space program should support efforts to explore and colonize space because it will open new markets, new resources, new space, and new opportunity for all of humanity. The argument that it costs too much to go to space is absurd. It may be costing the program money, but that money is going into the pockets of businesses around the world. That money is then being used to keep the economy rolling. If we can further privatize the space industry we can develop new markets, much the way the opening of the "new world?" Produced an economic boom at the time.
Posted by: AnonymousExploring 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.
Posted by: AnonymousNecessary For the Future
Long-term movement of populations from Earth to space is the only long-term, ethical solution to eventual overpopulation. As the United States is the leader of the Free World, it should lead the push into space to better insure a free and prosperous society beyond Earth's limits and secure the benefits of close relations with other planets and moons.
Posted by: AnonymousThe US, as well as other Countries need to colonize space for the mere survival and over population of Earth.
There are more than 7 billion people living on this planet. We, as a race, cannot let Earth be our only home. It is too risky. By not expanding into space, the human race would stagnate. An epidemic or a catastrophe can wipe us all out in a single blow.
Posted by: AnonymousThe US, as well as other Countries need to colonize space for the mere survival and over population of Earth.
Seven billion people on this planet, seven billion. If we do not find a place besides earth to colonize, we will be out of space in very little time. We either need to colonize space or adopt a form of population control, and as far as I've looked, there is no humane way to go about doing that. I see no other option for the long run.
Posted by: AbstractJesus
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.
Posted by: CesP5ychExpanding 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.
Posted by: AnonymousThe 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.
Posted by: N Schroeder 60The 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.
Posted by: MyrBadColonizing 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.Posted by: KiPPConsPiracyNo, 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.
Posted by: GilGrabsWe 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.
Posted by: 54IInfernoU.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.
Posted by: JeffP4ri5I 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.
Posted by: CowardlyVirgil31The 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.
Posted by: WackyDelU.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.
Posted by: MannP4rkThe 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.
Posted by: eyeslikethatI 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.
Posted by: 5hiy4SaIemThe 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.
Posted by: TastelessJordan