The exploration of space is widely debated all over the world. While some people argue that it can enhance our understanding and technological development, others perceive domestic challenges to be more vital, thus the efforts should be made to develop life on Earth in the first place. Personally I support the last statement and suggest the taxpayers’ money should be used to satisfy their needs first, owing to the reasons outlined below.
First of all, I do not think that new discoveries in space can help the mankind with advancement of technology and improving knowledge. Scientists already know more about the outer space and surface of Mars than about bottom of the ocean and this information did not lead to any new significant achievements. For example, the first successful moon landing took place almost half a century ago, but it did not accelerated the research and bore numerous new questions about our natural satellite. Therefore, billions of dollars invested in moon programme resulted in no technological advantage and, at the same time, more unanswered points.
On the other hand, benefits of investing in satisfying needs of the people could be more tangible. The taxpayers, probably, would prefer to solve relatively mundane issues with this money rather than waste them on exploring far space. For example, while cancer is one of the leading causes of death on our planet, the research to find cure for this disease is lack in funds. People demand governments to act and the resources spent on resultless space programmes could be used to find the cure. Thus, states can stop wasting money on space grants and provide people solution to issues they face everyday.
To sum up, I firmly believe people should not tolerate authorities using their money ineffectively on pointless space research, when these resources can save lifes of millions of people.