Is it right to spend $105 billion on Artemis Space project?

Whitewavemark2

I can remembered being glued to the television the first time around, but this time for me, it is just a news headline.

Just wish we would sort our crap out on this world.

Me too.
It was just a unifying thing, that first space mission, although it was the USA's project it did feel as if it was an achievement by the human race.
This time it's just another headline although I do root for them to complete the mission successfully & get back safely.

They are looking for an additional 1.5 trillion dollars for the Iranian war effort now, so the expenditure on Artemis is small fry in comparison. I don’t have a strong feeling about it, I just wonder what they will learn as a result that is not already known. .

CAT scans and MRI were enabled indirectly by space-age advances in computing and engineering. The NASA Apollo project gave a massuve impetus and large scale investment investment in: computing, electronics and materials science.
Those advances spilled over into medicine. They led to sophisticated image processing techniques and better superconducting magnets, Without Apollo those advances might have been slower or never happened.

Redrobin51

I've never been in agreement with any space travel as we've already messed up our own world why mess up another. The cost of these space programmes are obscene especially as there is so much poverty in the world.

What are you having for lunch on Easter Sunday, Redrobin?
Roast potatoes?

AGAA4

As man has made such a mess of our own planet I don't think it's a good idea to start ruining other parts of space.
The huge amounts spent on it could be used to try to sort out the damage done to our earth.

Except that it would not be, and the benefits from space research creeps into every aspect of everyones lives, even the poorest, who will get warnings of major weather events and tsunamis so they can prepare or seek refuge in advance because weather satellites are circling the earth and reporting back.

Many other people, me included have already pointed out the way the resulst of space research have spilled over int our lives, through medecin, electronics, computing etc etc.

As Casdon has said what more can they learn from this space project and who knows what damage they could be doing in the process.
This is all about helping mankind which is very destructive and continues to ruin our planet.
As I said it's about humans with no care for any other life.

I can readily imagine some Stone Agers complaining about the inventor of the wheel wasting resources on his project when he could have been out collecting nuts and berries.

Grantanow

I can readily imagine some Stone Agers complaining about the inventor of the wheel wasting resources on his project when he could have been out collecting nuts and berries.

You clearly don't understand.

Most definitely yes. Space exploration and the science and tech development it initiates are invaluable to all of us. Such as…communication, GPS, weather forecasting, imaging in medical settings, insulin pumps, new medicines.. not to mention expanding our knowledge of the universe through the JWST and the ISS.
There are some very strange views on here today.

Willow3 'Is it a wonderful reach into the as yet not explored (it goes round the other side of the moon, as yet not seen)'.

From what I remember Apollo 17 in the 70s did orbit the moon anumber of times. Please correct me if I'm wrong

Allira

I think mankind (and womankind) has always explored, wanting to find out what is beyond the horizon.

I'd rather they spent the $105 billion on space exploration than on making war on other countries.

I agree Allira. Anything that uses money that Trump might otherwise be spending on armaments can't be all bad.

However, it does seem iniquitous not to spend it on the very poor in the US, those who have no health care, no jobs, no food, no benefit payments.

I find it difficult to see the justification for spending the enormous amounts that various space research programmes cost, when there is so much that need to be done on our earth.

I do understand that research into space may bring some benefits, but right now, I feel that trying to reverse climate change on earth is rather more important.

Cossy

For me, imo, it’s utterly immoral!

Medical care would of been a humane cause for the failing Usa economy.

.

Wyllow3

Unless you're American, I don't think it is any of our business what America/ns spend their money on.
.

Totally immoral, I agree

I think it should have been spent on something more important which benefits the people. Not sure how worthy a project this is.

I am on the fence with this one.

Yes money is needed elsewhere but the importance of persuing space travel can't be ignored.

And yes, it is magical.

I remember, as a teenager , looking at a photograph of the other side of the moon on my uncle’s wall! I have no idea how he got it but suspect it was a gift from the Russian communist party with whom he had big connections!!! It was fascinating picture !

I can't post a photo but the far side of the moon was seen in 1968 by Apollo 8 astronauts.

www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/moon-far-side

I think it is an obscene amount of money. Having said that one day in the future (provided we have not become extinct because of war or global warming) our sun will go super nova and that will be the end of earth and everyone on it. Unless we try to find somewhere else to live and a method of getting us there humans will cease to exist! I would like to think our future descendants will find a new earth to inhabit. Of course this all starts with baby steps including the Artemis space mission.

Wyllow3

Surely the best option for humanity is to stop the ridiculous competitive space race and pool resources across all interested - and wealthier - countries to gain the benefits and the wonders?

My thinking exactly.

But there's the thing, it's not unseen and it was basically a holiday, it had no scientific value whatsoever because they knew what they'd find... The Chinese took photos of it 3 years ago.

It's a vanity project.

But they didn't learn anything because it's already known. The Chinese already photographed it. It wasn't exactly exploration when it's already been done.

Dreadwitch

But they didn't learn anything because it's already known. The Chinese already photographed it. It wasn't exactly exploration when it's already been done.

American astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders were the first to travel to the far side of the moon in Apollo 8 in 1968. They orbited the moon ten times and we have seen the photographs of the far side of the moon for many years.

Artemis 2 has gone to the far side of the moon but also gone further into space than any astronauts ever before.

Wyllow3

By the Artemis 4 lunar landing, NASA is projected to spend about $105 billion on the programme.

They had a discussion on R4 "Moral Maze". Is it a wonderful reach into the as yet not explored (it goes round the other side of the moon, as yet not seen)

Is it a glorification of a regime in trouble

Or could and should the USA spend it on their own people, and their medical and educational needs, better policing, and so on?

I very much tend towards the latter, but there is something magic about reaching into space.

By the Artemis 4 lunar landing, NASA is projected to spend about $105 billion on the programme. Or could and should the USA spend it on their own people, and their medical and educational needs, better policing, and so on?

Not UK money, not our worry.

Research is beneficial.