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What Is the Point of Space Exploration?

Since the origin of the human race, man has been compelled to explore the limits of his known world and beyond. In time, curiosity and technology encouraged and enabled man to explore beyond the bounds of Earth into outer space. While space exploration satiates man's inherent desire to explore beyond the known into the unknown, it is also a costly venture. Maintaining a capable space program requires billions of dollars which many Americans cannot rationalize during times of economic strife. As a result, there is a perpetual debate about the necessity for such an expensive venture.

Exploration
- Space exploration first and foremost satisfies man's desire to explore. Humans are naturally curious and people as a whole cannot abide by not knowing something. Man has always been compelled to journey beyond the boundaries of his known world. For centuries, this drive compelled earthly exploration as adventurers fanned out over the globe. With a majority of the planet seen and mapped, the next logical step is to expand past the bonds of Earth. Humans are a progressive species, perpetually compelled to progress intellectually.
Preparedness
- Though it is not a day-to-day threat, there is the possibility that a life-altering, if not life-ending, force from space could affect or impact the planet. The most trusted and scientifically supported theory explaining dinosaur extinction is that a foreign body collided with Earth, altering the planet's climate so significantly that it annihilated much of the biolife on the planet. Further exploration of space could give scientists an early warning if another catastrophic event became imminent.
Defense
- Major world governments have long since agreed to keep nuclear warheads out of space, but that is not to say states will always honor the agreement. Though no portion of outer space can be claimed by any one country and weapons cannot be kept in Earth's orbit for defensive or offensive purposes, the violation of those agreements would bring immediate danger to any targeted nation. By maintaining and strengthening a nation's ability to travel in space, they can ensure their safety in accordance with the outer space protection acts.
Scientific Advancement
- While space exploration has the primary goal of traveling to and understanding space, it reaps secondary rewards, too. Computers small enough to fit in one room, then on one piece of furniture, were the direct result of the miniaturization necessary to send computers into space. Many other objects that have gained popular use are the direct result of the space program, like mechanical pencils, for example. The scientific development necessary for space travel yields products with commercial appeal for the general public.

Astronomy