Have you ever had any dreams? A certain a career or simply just wanting to accomplish a certain goal that you set for yourself? Its these thoughts that define who we are. The things we set out to accomplish and the things we strive for are the foundation of our character. We grow up always having a dream; always having an idea of what we want to become. These are very powerful concepts that cultivate in our minds. We’re a civilization of dreamers, “…the United States was not built by those who waited and rested and wished to look behind them. This country was conquered by those who moved forward, and so will space” (Kennedy). When we put our minds to something there is nothing that we can’t do; nothing we can’t accomplish. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that we as a nation have stopped dreaming. Close to fifty years ago, we looked up at the night sky and thought anything was possible. The moon landing changed the way we perceive ourselves in the universe. Civilizations have been looking up at the night sky for thousands of years but for the first time we were physically part of it. The moon was no longer a mere concept but a frontier claimed by humanity. It’s this sheer fact that made us think that we can do anything. In this moment, the dreams and goals that we strive for were forever within in our reach. It’s time to bring back this same fervor that inspired us long ago. We need to expand investment in space exploration so we can start dreaming again; because the dreamers are the individuals who change the world.

In the 1960s NASA accomplished the greatest technological feat of the time. They channeled the power of human ingenuity to send us beyond the constraints of our home planet. The moon landings have always excited me. This interest has consumed me ever since I was a little kid. Some of the best memories I have with my dad were looking through the telescope he got me for my 7th birthday. There was always something really special about looking out into the night sky. It made me realize just how small I really am. I always dreamed of seeing what was beyond the vision of my telescope. I dreamed of having the opportunity of jumping between worlds and to visit the objects I had been looking at for so many years. This is where my interest in NASA took root. They have the potential to make these childhood fantasies of interstellar exploration and adventure come true. After the moon landings, NASA has continued to develop technology that not only furthers their goal of space exploration, but improves life here on earth as well. In recent years, the public has lost their supportive fervor that once helped prop up the funding for space exploration. The government annually cuts NASA’s budget lower and lower. “The reality is that one of the most important organizations in the world is grossly underfunded” (Tyson). Technology and innovation help fuel an economy, and support a nations advancement. Its organizations like NASA that have the power to birth heroes and the power to inspire the brightest minds in the world to work for the betterment of society. I believe that goals like this are the really special ones; putting aside petty differences to work towards something that helps everyone. Investment in space exploration would further areas of the economy, research and development and provide inspiration for people everywhere. The budget for space exploration needs to be vastly increased to improve our society in every possible aspect. 

On October 1st 1958 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration began operation. They consisted of little more than 8,000 employees with a small headquarters in Washington and three small research facilities. Less than a year after their founding, NASA completed their first lunar flyby. Shortly after this they sent two monkeys into space and successfully recovered them. This was considered an immensely impressive feat accomplished on a minuscule budget of only 100 million dollars. The real exciting stuff starts to happen after president Kennedy pledges to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Following this pledge, NASA received multi-million dollar contracts from the government. What they were able to accomplish next is astounding. The surplus of funds allowed the organization to expand, the “…workforce grew to over 400,000 employees while extensive research and launch centers were created in 9 different states” (Grimard).  They also managed to turn an insignificant piece of swamp into spaceport. They were able to develop rockets, lunar vehicles, space equipment and even lunar landers. They put people and satellites into orbit, and of course their crowned jewel achievement, sent astronauts to the moon and returned them safely. This was all done in less than a decade when Kennedy gave his speech. What I believe is most important is to consider the speed and efficiency at which all this was accomplished. We set out to do something deemed impossible and we accomplished it despite low chance of success. I think that’s a good sign to keep pushing the envelope. 

In 1966 well into the space race, NASA’s budget was over 32 billion dollars in today’s money. It was over 4% of the nation’s federal budget. With support and funding like this, we were able to jump from zero space flight capability to putting a man on the moon in only a decade. When I think about this jump in progress compared to other times in history it makes me really appreciate it that much more. Humans have been developing since the beginning of civilization, but “we took a concept we knew very little about, yet still managed to expand that concept enough to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade” (Gibbs). That’s just simply amazing. Shortly after NASA’s success in getting to the moon, the USSR space program lost its competitive edge. The U.S. government was no longer concerned with Russia having technological superiority which lead to a major decrease in funding for NASA. I found this to be particularly interesting because it shows a hidden motive behind why we were actually innovating. We weren’t building rockets to explore in peace, we were building rockets to stay ahead of an enemy. I guess there is always an ulterior motive behind our governments decisions. NASA’s budget continuously dropped each year following the moon landings. The annual budget consisted of a little over 14 billion by 1975. NASA has since operated on a budget that is a fraction of what they were using when they had the nations full support. Operating on this much smaller budget has had to drag out projects that could be completed in a timely manner if they had the proper funding. 

NASA has still managed to tackle several projects with their decreased budget. In the 80s NASA created the space shuttle. This allowed for easier access into low earth orbit. Various research was conducted from the shuttles. Throughout the 80s knowledge of spacecraft was vastly increased. This allowed NASA to develop more advanced spacecraft using the knowledge obtained by research conducted in low earth orbit. When the 90s hit more serious projects were undertaken. There were two projects that stand out the most. NASA successfully landed an autonomous rover on Mars. This rover provided information that could only be obtained by going to mars itself. The other big project was a global effort. It has been philosophized that “…proper attention to space, and especially near space, may be absolutely crucial in bringing the world together” (Mead). This idea turned out to be very true. The space agencies of the world came together to create the international space station. It was one of the largest and most expensive projects ever completed. I think it’s important to acknowledge that this was one of the few times the entire world came together to accomplish something for everyone’s benefit.

In recent years, private space programs have begun to rise. They have shown that they are more than capable of building reliable and efficient spacecraft. It is speculated that in the near future, with the help of the commercial spaceflight industry, we will put people on Mars. This is the personal goal of Elon Musk. He is a billionaire and owner of both Tesla and Spacex. He is known for his groundbreaking advancements in spacecraft as well as the ambitious goals he sets for his company. He believes that he can establish a permanent settlement on mars. He claims "SpaceX is only 12 years old now [as of 2014]. Between now and 2040, the company’s lifespan will have tripled. If we have linear improvement in technology, as opposed to logarithmic, then we should have a significant base on Mars, perhaps with thousands or tens of thousands of people" (Musk). Spacex made history when they successfully launched a rocket and landed the full rocket after an orbital flight. This same rocket was then used to complete other launches. This was record breaking and “…marked the first time in the history of spaceflight that the same rocket has been used on two separate missions to orbit” (Wattles). Companies like Spacex are working around the clock to continue developing efficient means of space travel. Commercial spaceflight is projected to contribute greatly to economic growth. Due to the increase in privatized space flight, governments are already discussing the possibility of building low-orbit infrastructure. Some ideas being suggested are that governments should develop space stations and then rent out usage of the space stations to private companies. This not only provides profit for the hosting government entity, but also ensures a safe and reliable launch environment. These platforms will be used to launch deep space missions as well as store deep space vehicles. They will be crucial for the eventual mining of asteroids and colonization of celestial bodies. This idea is just a concept being proposed, and does not yet have the proper funding to undergo development.

An important part to fully understanding and appreciating my argument is acknowledging that technology and the economy are directly related. Leon Kass, a renowned scientist, intellectual and Harvard graduate supports this claim. He says “Technological innovation is indeed important to economic growth and the enhancement of human possibilities” (Kass). For example, if a country such as India had the same technological capacity has the United States, their economy would be more than double its current capacity. A natural economic experiment that bolsters this claim is the history of Korea. It’s a single region with the same culture, language and geography, but two very different government institutions. North Korea did not provide incentives for innovation and has made close to no technological development. South Korea on the other hand, set up a government institution that mimics that of the United States. Today they are one of the world’s largest economies and are a leading force in technological development. Here is a visualization of the difference between the two countries. 

  NASA’s current projects are entirely focused on deep space travel and an eventual manned mission to mars. NASA has been able to focus entirely on mars related projects due to potential moon missions being cancelled. An asteroid redirecting mission which was very far along in development was also scrapped. The budget for NASA’s Orion project (mars mission) is developing at a very slow rate. The mission is not expected to launch until the mid-2030s at best. If the Orion space vehicle is assembled, it will be the largest space vehicle every created.

Space exploration is a never-ending project that humanity as a whole must undertake. By looking at the benefits yielded from advancing our spaceflight capabilities, we can see that increased funding in space exploration is imperative for the future of society. Two central benefits from space exploration that I would like to cover are economic growth, and improvement of humanities future. The technology developed will contribute greatly towards economic gain. In order to generate economic growth, it’s important for the government to set up greater incentives for scientists, engineers and even private companies. The government must also directly contribute by increasing NASA’s budget. In regards to humanities future, space exploration is of great importance. It’s hard to grasp this idea now, but the earth will not be around forever. If we don’t eventually leave earth, we will perish with it. Another potential benefit in humanities future I would like to discuss is the positive shift in our societies culture. We have the opportunity to come together and work towards a common goal that benefits everyone. We would be working for everyone’s benefit rather than just our own. This mindset can make the world a better place. 

We need to invest in space exploration to increase the rate of our technological advancement. People are currently under the impression we are advancing as fast we can but this is a fallacy. Let’s take a look at the moon landings. After we put a man on the moon, people believed that we were going to continue advancing at this exponential rate. We assumed that in another ten years we would be on mars, making several technological breakthroughs along the way. This was an understandable thought to believe at the time due to our previous rate of advancement. Unfortunately, we have not been on par with our true potential due to the lack of funding. NASA has not put a man on the moon since the 70s, and has not put people beyond low earth orbit since that time as well. Another way of looking at this situation is, “Astronauts have been stuck in low-Earth orbit, boldly going nowhere. American attempts to kick-start a new phase of lunar exploration have stalled amid the realization that NASA's budget is too small for the job” (Davies). How is it we can put a man on the moon by the end of the decade, but nearly fifty years later not have a man on mars? The lack of progress on NASA’s part shows the importance of funding. If their budget from the 60s was maintained, we would have a much larger technological capacity than we do today. While NASA has completed extensive information collecting projects, there has been very little progress in terms of accomplishing an achievement that replicates the audacity of the moon landing. NASA has to constantly deal with budget cuts, and drag out an already paper thin budget. If NASA wants to tackle projects such as putting a person on mars or developing deep space travel technologies, then they need to use their budget and stretch it over several years. Their annual budget simply does not allow them to complete tasks in a timely manner. It also forces them to steer away from taking on time consuming projects to avoid draining their already minuscule budget. I think that this is unacceptable. I would like to point out that when NASA had the necessary funding they were able to develop technologies, and accomplish their goals in a reasonable time frame. We developed at a rate in the 60s unparalleled to any previous time in human history. I think it’s frustrating that congressmen in charge of setting NASA’s budget can’t acknowledge this, and adjust the budget accordingly.   NASA’s budget is currently 19.4 billion dollars. With this current budget, NASA isn’t projected to put a person on mars until the mid-2030’s, and this is with close to the entirety of NASA’s budget focused on that goal. If we are to advance our technological development at a faster rate, then NASA needs an increased budget. The 19.4 billion is only 0.5% of the federal governments annual budget. That’s merely half a penny on the federal tax dollar. Is it too much to ask to make it a penny? To be bold and increase it from 0.5 to 1? This negligible change in the federal budget would mean all the difference in increasing our technological capabilities. If the budget is increased, then we will advance at our true potential. We will experience the same rate of progress that was seen in the 60s.

Space exploration technology must be developed further to directly benefit society. The technologies from space flight almost always have duel uses. They help advance our space program while at the same time have civilian applications. The scientific community points out that, “There are numerous cases of societal benefits linked to new knowledge and technology from space exploration” (Dunbar). Some of these technologies include “Global positioning systems, television networks, radio stations and cell-phone carriers are all dependent on satellites to keep the world connected” (Zaina). One of the best examples of this is GPS. Its equipped in nearly every vehicle and makes navigating unfamiliar areas relatively easy. GPS is made possible because of satellites orbiting the earth. Satellites provide several useful services.  Along with helping civilians with navigation, they also help predict weather patterns. Information gathered from weather satellites helps inform citizens of potential weather hazards. Another great example is solar panels. Solar panels were originally developed to power satellites and other beyond earth machinery.  Now they help power cities and homes across the globe, and do so without producing any pollution. There are several other technologies that are the product of space exploration investment. Increased funding for space exploration will yield more technologies that make our day to day lives easier and more time efficient. 

The government needs to set up incentives that encourage progress in space exploration. A government institution sets the incentives for its citizens. The government should put in place a set of incentives that encourage people to pursue careers in engineering and various fields of science. They should also incentivize commercial space flight. Incentives should include subsidies for companies that focus their R&D department on developing technologies and conducting research that pertains to space flight. Another big incentive should be to reduce corporate tax for newly founded commercial space companies. This helps new companies develop in the sector. An increase in the rise of private space companies will keep all of them on a competitive edge. This will resemble the space race that occurred between the U.S. and Russia, but will be between private companies. Developing the private sector of space exploration is huge for the economy because it creates an entirely new realm of commercial travel. The competition between the companies will fuel them to constantly try and stay ahead of each other. We developed our space program fastest when we were competing with the Russians, the same concept applies to the private companies.   

We need to increased funding in space exploration to generate economic growth through private companies. One of the main components that would increase is the number of jobs. An increased budget for NASA means they have more money to tackle projects. To complete projects NASA often pays contracts to private companies. These private companies serve various different purposes. Some can provide raw materials while others offer more advanced services such as writing code for computer programs. This shows that the money going into NASA gets dispersed amongst private companies. I think this is important because it shows that we don’t need to choose between investing in the economy or space exploration, we can essentially do both. The expensive contracts given from NASA to companies stimulate the private sector. They encourage companies to continue offering services to NASA, and also encourages job growth and business expansion within the respected company. This also incentives innovation amongst competing companies. If a company wants a lucrative contract with NASA, they need to be the best of the best in their field.  The largest increase in job growth will be from the developing private space sector.  The private sector alone will include dozens of companies establishing themselves in commercial spaceflight. The rise in these companies will create a surplus of jobs.

We need to create more means of inspiring people. Programs like NASA have the power to influence a societies culture. There is more to space exploration than monetary gain, “…space exploration missions fulfill people's curiosity, producing fresh data about the solar system that brings us closer to answering profound questions that have been asked for millennia” (Billings). The landings in the 60s inspired a nation. It made people believe that anything was possible. This has always been something I’ve marveled in. I can look up at the moon and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I can look up at the night sky and know that the stars are not out of reach. I along with everyone else can collectively feel a little bit closer to the infinity of the cosmos. The children of the 60s looked up to their heroes who put footprints on the moon. This influenced a generation of engineers and dreamers that lead to the continuous progression of our society.  Our societies culture as a whole shifted for the better. The great minds of this generation contributed to all sorts of scientific fields and technological accomplishments. NASA employed the large majority of these individuals. Advances in various fields were seen, “All the traditional STEM fields, the science, technology, engineering, and math fields, are stoked when you dream big in an agency such as NASA” (Tyson). This same level inspiration can be recreated by increasing NASA’s capabilities. This will in turn allow for more innovation and technological progression. If NASA is making new discoveries and conquering new frontiers, then people will naturally be inspired. Increased funding allows for NASA to pursue goals that put people in awe and make history. This proved to be effective in the past, and can be just as effective in the present. I think that this will give us a new perspective of our place in the universe. Neil Degrasse Tyson, a renowned astrophysicist and Columbia university graduate offers a mind-boggling idea of our place in the universe. He explains “We are part of this universe; we are in this universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts, is that the universe is in us” (Tyson). Inspiration can be instilled in the public, we just need to fund the right programs. Space exploration can inspire the next generation of dreamers to bring about a new wave of innovation.

We need to invest in space exploration in order to secure our future. We as humans are natural explorers and survivors. We are born naturally curious, and this is what drove us to explore the globe. With no place left to explore on our world, we must look beyond earth to continue feeding our innate curiosity. The earth will not be around forever, but the future of humanity lies beyond earth. One day we could be an intergalactic species no longer bound to a single plane. If we make the right decisions, then this is not a concept of science fiction but will become our indefinite future. The first home for humanity beyond earth will likely be mars. I believe we must go about this the right way. If we want to secure our future home, then it’s important to start developing this idea now. The colonization of planets beyond earth will ensure the continuous survival of the human race. While colonizing, mars might not seem so urgent I could argue the contrary. The nations of the world possess a nuclear arsenal capable of global destruction. The exchange of nuclear arms would end all life on earth as we know it.  Elon Musk, the owner of Spacex and Tesla feels strongly about this issue. He provides an interesting point when he says “There's a fundamental difference, if you look into the future, between a humanity that is a space-faring civilization, that's out there exploring the stars … compared with one where we are forever confined to Earth until some eventual extinction event” (Musk). I believe that if we were to colonize mars and planets beyond, then nuclear war on earth would not mean humanities end. I think it also provides a means of escaping earth in the tragic event we pollute it to the point of uninhabitability.

I can admit that there are several pressing matters going on around the globe right now. I understand that the public might be more concerned with foreign affairs and other issues for the time being. People tend to be more concerned with the things that affect them on an immediate basis. They want to devote their attention to issues that will affect their day to day lives. Politics also comes into play here. People tend to feel very strongly about their political opinions. If a proposed idea stands outside their political stance, they might not feel strongly in favor of such an idea. This is perfectly reasonable, as everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But why should we dismiss the issue of space exploration for a later time? I think that we have the opportunity to do something great. Space exploration goes well beyond political stances or monetary gain. I personally think that what we do with space exploration right now could be what defines our generation. I can’t stress enough that we must address this with a sense of urgency. We could push this issue off for a later time, or we can be the generation that lays down the foundation for the future of humanity. People in thousands of years from both our world and theirs can look back at the people of our generation and know that this is where it all started. The framework of deep space exploration can be our legacy that echoes throughout time. The very thought of this gives me the chills. 

I acknowledge that rockets and other space bound vehicles consume vast amounts of fossil fuels and natural gases. This is a very expensive process that also contributes towards pollution. It is true that as larger rockets are created, more non-renewable energy sources will be used to power these larger vehicles. However, I would like to point out that this is only a temporary problem. The current means of launching rockets into space using traditional energy sources is expensive to say the least. A main focus of space exploration based research is alternative fuel sources for spacecraft. There are already operational prototypes that use electricity for power instead of fossil fuels or natural gas. These developments apply to other vehicles as well. Electric car companies are on the rise along with other companies looking to power vehicles using alternative fuel sources. If this research is continued and expanded, then the consumption of non-renewable resources will be eliminated entirely. 

Depending on how we shift our stance on space exploration will determine our future. It will set the pace for development in technology and human civilization. There are clear benefits for playing a more active role in exploring space. The economic gain from increased investment in space exploration would strengthen our economy and create a stable increase in jobs. Teamwork can be created between the public and private sector to conduct business beyond earth. I believe that it’s possible to have people living on mars in our lifetime. Just imagine the complexity and mosaic nature of an interstellar society. This is foreshadowing of humanities future further down the road. When the time comes, we can retreat from our home planet to a new one if need be. As for the present, we can improve life here on earth while simultaneously extending the reach of humanity beyond. I believe this breathtaking concept should be something the global community strives for, as it is meaningful work and would give us all a greater sense of purpose. 
