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

In the past I have been enthralled by the space exploration that we have seen on the tv. This last venture has left me underwhelmed. I even feel bored which is unbelievable when in the early fifties I proclaimed to one and all that I wanted to be the first woman on the moon! The world is a disgrace at the moment and needs sorting out.

How wonderful if instead of spending money on wars, it would be to extend our knowledge and human experiences as countries working together - I'd have no issues then. It captured my imagination as a child and still does, my reservations are specific.

It's true we went up in the 60's, but my impression is that now with much much more advanced technology, this is intended to be the start not a one off. But as ever oh so sad it being a "Space Race" in this troubled world.

Generally (DS tells me (he's a mere minnow in the maths side of the field) top scientists like to work together across borders but are politically constrained.

Dreadwitch

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.

The Chinese actually landed a robot spacecraft and brought back samples to Earth. There were many of us watched Neil Armstrong in 1969 and the achievement with the technology available then.
Im one who is distinctly underwhelmed by Artemis today.

Norah

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.

Research is beneficial. Yes

Not our money and it does benefit us all.

The USA can afford it, it should not be stopped on the grounds that the money could be spent on other, possibly more worthy causes. Where there is a will to spend the money on these, there is a way.

better policing - lack of police is perhaps not so much the problem in the USA, the way they police is and that could cause a problem with recruitment.

More money is spent waging war and interfering in other countries' politics.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Totally immoral, I agree

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Wyllow3

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

For me, imo, it’s utterly immoral!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.