Since the emergence of technology capable of putting machines, animals, and eventually humans above Earth’s atmosphere, space exploration has held a powerful hold on our imaginations. For the most part, though, we’ve only been able to explore space through satellites and space stations that can observe distant planets or other bodies from orbit.
To truly get a taste of what it would be like to travel between stars or to live on another planet, humankind needs to develop completely new systems that can endure multi-year interplanetary voyages. Fortunately, new propulsion technologies, reusable rockets, space vehicles and systems, in-orbit construction and robotics, and many other innovations have made the cost of future human missions to Mars and beyond more manageable.
In addition to expanding our knowledge of the universe, space exploration also benefits humanity here on Earth through medical, industrial, and technological advances. For example, one method of delivering cancer-fighting drugs to tumours, ultrasound equipment that allows nurses to scan patients without having to leave their station and transmit the results for doctors thousands of miles away, and even the design of MRI machines are all products of space research.
It’s important to understand the value of the work carried out by nations and private companies to make space exploration a reality for future generations. Unfortunately, the public often misunderstands how much time and money is invested in the space program through government-sponsored agencies such as NASA. As a result, some people may believe that space programs are overspending and should be scaled back. This is a misconception that could be corrected with correct education and outreach efforts.