In recent decades, billions of dollars have been spent on space research; thus, some people claim that this money should be used for citizens’ living standards on Earth. From my perspective, I strongly agree with investing in human lives on Earth due to numerous reasons.
Admittedly, allocating a huge amount of money to space exploration is beneficial for humans. Specifically, scientists hope to improve weather forecasting to prevent natural disasters and gain insights into the formation and position of planets through space research and technology. Therefore, they could find a planet similar to Earth to inhabit if Earth is destroyed by a meteorite or solar heat, as the sun’s temperature has increased significantly in recent years, which could negatively impact human survival. However, investing in space exploration is risky for astronauts and requires significant funding from NASA. For instance, in 1990, NASA spent 7 billion dollars launching two spacecraft to Mars, but they did not find any resources that could support human life.
Instead, a significant amount of money should be allocated to improving human quality of life rather than investing in space exploration. Countries should focus on enhancing infrastructure, healthcare systems, and education systems. Particularly, sustainable infrastructure can help mitigate natural disasters. For example, hydroelectric dams play an essential role in preventing floods and providing electricity. Furthermore, human health should be prioritized to combat epidemics and adverse weather conditions that threaten lives. For instance, significant government budgets could be invested in modern technology to prevent outbreaks like COVID-19. Additionally, investing in education can help citizens better understand and protect themselves from disasters, improving overall safety and health. As a result, they can utilize enormous amounts of money effectively to foster their quality of life.
In conclusion, despite the benefits of space exploration, such as mitigating natural disasters and discovering new planets, I believe that spending on improving human life on Earth should take precedence, especially in addressing harsh weather and epidemics.