Current Events > Do you think we should invest more in space travel?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm mostly talking about government funding, but investing in companies to a smaller extent as well.

I'm 100% onboard with this. We really haven't progressed that much since the 60s-70s. It's already been decades since we last landed on the moon. We've gotten bigger and better telescopes, which is nice.

But more investment in space programs like NASA means:
-a better understanding of our universe and how it works
-new technology breakthroughs that can help people on Earth
-attaining more rare resources not normally found on Earth
-.And finally closer to interstellar space travel being possible.

In regards to government funding, I'm thinking reducing the budget we spend on the military/wars and other frivolous stuff like billions to aid countries like Israel and have it allocate to NASA. Private companies do whatever. Obviously workers rights matter and not dumb joy ride missions.

Much, much more. If we wait for humanity to get its shit together, itll be too late and well have too few resources to get out there, basically dooming humanity as sooner or later giant meteor is going to hit Earth, if any of the other thousands of doomsday scenarios doesnt wipe humanity out first. Spreading out into space and creating new colonies at the very least increases humanitys chances of survival.

There should always be government projects and agencies aimed at this, but private companies as well, as those tend to take more risks and are more innovative. Although that is a trial-and-error process, it is also more likely to yield results (like SpaceX having successfully developed reusable rockets).

But yeah, I agree that 'joy ride missions' are a waste of time and resources. Oh whoop-tee-doo, you got to spend almost 15 minutes at the lowest possible altitude that can be considered Low Earth Orbit and the sky still looks mostly blue.
Until sustainable off-world colonies are a thing, there should always be a scientific/productive aspect to every space project.

nope, there's nothing there for us to thrive on or even if there is, it will be very little and not enough for us greedy bastards

Yup.

Im watching the show For All Mankind which is basically about what it would be like if NASA had an unlimited budget. Season 3 takes place in the 90s and theyre already seriously planning trips to Mars and trying to make space tourism a thing. And I noticed that they already have flat screen computer monitors and can make video calls.

Oh, and I forgot that they discovered something on the moon which makes cleaner sustainable energy possible.

Can you imagine all the technological advance ants we couldve made in real life by now if people had taken space travel seriously since the moon landing?

I think we already invest too much. And I say this as someone that finds space fascinating.

I think our primary focus should be on fixing or minimizing the effects of climate change. If doing so helps that, then fine.