Debate #2: Should the Federal Government further fund Space Exploration?

Discussion in 'Politics & Religion' started by zball24, Jul 14, 2009.

  1. #1
    Space, the "final frontier," captures the human imagination as few other subjects are able to do. As the space telescope and various probes continue to add to our knowledge about the universe, new areas for research continue to emerge. The application of space research has already changed our lives in numerous areas involving communication technology, electronics miniaturization, propulsion, and military capabilities. Advocates imagine that the exploration and development of space can lead to even more dramatic breakthroughs involving resource extraction and space colonization. Others emphasize the cost and technological barriers preventing the realization of these claims. Affirmative case areas may include the use of space to improve medical technologies, space manufacturing in microgravity, space colonization, remote sensing for agriculture or climate research, laser systems for anti-missile defenses, space battle stations, among others. Negative teams may argue that the exploration and/or development of space will lead to space militarization, delay environmental efforts (creating a false sense that humans can escape the limits of Earth's resources), cause runaway federal spending, undermine international space programs, trade-off with private space programs, catch the attention of malevolent extraterrestrial beings, among others.
     
    zball24, Jul 14, 2009 IP
  2. pingpong123

    pingpong123 Well-Known Member

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    #2
    This planet is getting overcrowded and everytime we get over crowded more people starve and are running out of space or some war is conveniently created or something else happens. We need to make peace as a species with each other and focus on colonizing space. This will solve all our problems.
     
    pingpong123, Jul 15, 2009 IP
  3. pizzaman

    pizzaman Active Member

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    #3
    although i support all scientific projects and in particular space projects, the solution you are seeking can be achieved faster and easier if we learn to use the oceans for resources.
     
    pizzaman, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  4. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #4
    pizzaman is correct, there are other things that we could do through existing technology that would allow us to expand further. Also, being from Oklahoma, we have plenty of room. We're not overcrowded by a far margin in comparison to many other countries.

    I don't think we should totally do away with what we have and allow it to just rot and whither away. However, I would stop all these pizza deliveries to the space station, those are expensive.
     
    PHPGator, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  5. pingpong123

    pingpong123 Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Good point, I almost forgot about the oceans even though most of our planet is surrounded by it, but for all this to happen we still need to first learn to live together in peace. Also what about encroaching on the habitat or sea animals and eventually destroying the oceanic habitats of the world?
     
    pingpong123, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  6. pizzaman

    pizzaman Active Member

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    #6
    then we go to space. use and abuse, that is the human way.
    do you believe with all that water there are still water shortages all over the world.
    that is just crazy
     
    pizzaman, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  7. hmansfield

    hmansfield Guest

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    #7
    Because the Earth is covered in salt water, which is unhealthy to drink and desalinization is expensive.
    If we stop funding space exploration, we will be left behind other developed nations like Japan, GB, France, and Russia who fund space without a problem.
    Our system of communications and GPS satellites is our most important weapons technology.
    Without them, we would be in trouble.
     
    hmansfield, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  8. pizzaman

    pizzaman Active Member

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    #8
    i never said we should stop space exploration. i just said it isn't necessary for search of space to live in or resources.
    as far as desaltization, i mean it is crazy that we have not found a cost effective way of doing that. can you imagine what boost to the world economy it would be and how much positive effect on human life it would have.
    the reduction of suffering of so many people. and noone is working on it i bet
     
    pizzaman, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  9. eric8476

    eric8476 Active Member

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    #9
    Space exploration is important for advancing technology and finding new habitats even though we are far from needing to leave the planet, technological needs time to develop.

    Sea water desaltization is something to look into.
     
    eric8476, Jul 16, 2009 IP
  10. hmansfield

    hmansfield Guest

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    #10
    I know. Didn't mean to insinuate that you did.

    We have the technology, but it's expensive, and it requires electricity. It's hard to build a desalinization plant in an area that doesn't have power.

    Tampa Bay, FL actually has a desalinization plant that is a part of their public water supply. I saw something on Discovery, or The History Channel where they talked about the expense, but the process is advancing.
    I do believe that it will become cheaper as more technology is invented.
     
    hmansfield, Jul 17, 2009 IP