Many of my customers read Nature in the restroom, making drunken conversations interesting yet far from scholarly. The other day, one conversation caught my attention. As Jeffi Humphrey staggered in from the restroom, he announced, “If NASA would give me all the money they wasted on space, I would never have to return to that awful oiling company. Better yet, I could even give a little money to help end global warming like that author of Brave Blue World thinks we should do.” Usually I just let the alcohol talk but I became curious. “What do you mean wasted money?”
He proceeded to inform me of all the reasons he thinks we should not explore space. At the end of his speech he started to chant, “Moon equals doom, Moon equals doom, Moon equals doom..!” He did not even get the phrase out a fourth time before passing out on the sofa. I decided to go into the restroom and get this article, which was published in print on February 1, 2007 in Nature 445, 459.
After reading the article, I found that Jeffi’s argument paralleled the author’s, both arguments lacked support, logic and optimism. “Human spaceflight is no excuse for ignoring the home planet, which needs constant monitoring from space” (Brave Blue World). This opening statement clearly demonstrates the author’s pessimism pertaining to space exploitation. He/she feels that by exploring space we have been ignoring the problems at hand here on Earth.
The author places emphasis on our “alarming budget deficit” and on “a project with so little prospect of palpable returns.” “Certainly, science does not come close to offering a justification.” (Brave Blue World) However, in contrast to what he/she says, science does offer a justification.
According this graph, courtesy of another Nature article [Nature 445, 474-478 (1 February 2007)], the budget for total space exploration in the future remains relatively balanced. This conclusion is drawn from the fact that as exploration missions increase, all the other departments decrease. Therefore, money is taken from other space programs and given to exploration missions.NASA along with other space agencies developed the following lunar exploration themes: (Why The Moon?)
“1. Human Civilization
2. Extend human presence to the Moon to enable eventual settlement.
3. Scientific Knowledge
4. Pursue scientific activities that address fundamental questions about the history of Earth, the solar system and the universe - and about our place in them
5. Exploration Preparation
6. Test technologies, systems, flight operations and exploration techniques to reduce the risks and increase the productivity of future missions to Mars and beyond
7. Provide a challenging, shared and peaceful activity that unites nations in pursuit of common objectives
8. Economic Expansion
9. Expand Earth's economic sphere, and conduct lunar activities with benefits to life on the home planet
10. Use a vibrant space exploration program to engage the public, encourage students and help develop the high-tech workforce that will be required to address the challenges of tomorrow” (Why The Moon?)
“NASA engaged the global space community to develop the objectives by asking the question, ‘What do we hope to accomplish through lunar exploration?’ NASA took the many answers to this question and compiled them into a comprehensive database of almost 200 different things we could do on the moon!” (Why The Moon?)
The author sarcastically explains the parallels Michael Griffin, the NASA administrator, describes between Antarctic exploration and future American spaceflight. But who is to say that another country will not make a miraculous discovery? Like NASA pointed out, space exploration is a global cooperative mission that unites nations peacefully. The author neglected to mention this important viewpoint.
“Although lunar research may illuminate some far deeper recesses of Earth's history, the Moon is no Antarctica: the only input that lunar activity will provide for the study of Earth is the iconic and inspiring sight of a blue planet in a black sky over a grey desert” (Brave Blue World). In contrast, there are numerous things to come from space exploration, as listed above.
According to The Washington Post, by 2020 a human settlement of residence astronauts at the south pole of the moon will exist. The settlement will provide a place for space travelers as they head to other parts of the solar system. Also, the moon will provide hydrogen and oxygen to make water and rocket fuel—which falls under number 9 on the list, economic expansion. Since we are running out of resources and room, the moon will provide an alterative. While studying the moon we may even learn how to transform nonrenewable resources into renewable resources. Numerous times when scientists are attempting to make new discoveries they discover something they were not expecting.
A well regarded space program, such as NASA, engages the public. Students become fascinated and are inspired to explore related topics. Inspirations could range from an astronaut to an inventor of alternative resources. In the future we may find a way to decrease the affects of global warming by using the moon as a sink for emissions, if it is not inhabited.
The author ends his editorial by giving his final opinion. He/she attributes the urgency of the world to “mapping the march of global change and exploring possible futures,” not the “eternal verities and ancient deserts” (Brave Blue World). By exploring space we explore possible futures! Space exploration allows us to scientifically research, globally unite, economically expand, and individually inspire.
Jeffi and the author of “Brave Blue World” may say, “Moon Doom,” but my vote is for “Moon Boom.”
“Brave Blue World.” Nature. 01 February 2007. 14 February 2007. http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/images/d4/moon.jpg (Picture 1)
“NASA plans moon settlement by 2020.” The Australian. 06 December 2006. 14 February 2007.
“Why The Moon?” Space Daily, Distributed by United Press International. 05 December 2006. 14 February 2007.
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