I’m a big proponent of space exploration. I think we’re not devoting enough money to it, even in 2005. Sure, people will disagree with me, and that’s fine. That’s what makes all of this (life) beautiful. However, like with everthing else, there is perspective.
The cost of redesigning the Shuttle fleet to accomidate safety features recommended after the Columbia accident has so far exceeded $1.5 billion dollars, and as of August 2005, the Shuttle foam problem still exists. This being said, I will guestimate the final cost to repair the Shuttle fleet to be $5 billion. I think thats an over-estimated figure by 50%, but it will help to illustrate my point. 🙂
The war in Iraq, as of today, has cost over $188 billion. Here’s another tid-bit; the war in Iraq costs about $2,500 per second.
Theres your perspective. 🙂
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I was sitting in the local Nissan dealership today, waiting for my car to be finished with one of its required routine maintenances, and they showed on the news that the cost of bringing Discovery from California (where it landed) back to Florida ontop of a specially designed NASA 747 over the required 2 day flight would cost just over $1 million. The people in the waiting room with me grunted and groaned, and in broken English mixed with Spanish, French, and Russian, I heard the word “why”. People, the $1 million is insignificant. Space travel can get expensive, but it is necessary. Where would we have been if Lewis & Clark, Magellen, Columbus, etc. didn’t spend the money needed to explore. Where would we be?
Rather than butcher the English language, or re-hash someone elses fine work, please click here to read about all of the benefits that space exploration has provided for you, and how it has impacted your daily life.