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

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.

I am conflicted on this, space exploration has been the catalyst for many inventions that have helped people all over the world.

As humans we are constantly looking for the next new thing

I doubt very much that the billion plus dollars spent on this launch would or could have been redirected to the poor.

The rocket used was manufactured in Germany, so direct/indirectmbenefit for them and other European countries

Would you prefer the money to be spent on weapons and armaments for Trump to fire on any country he fancies?

Yes, because behind the space experiment is many billions of $s in research which will spill out into the wider world to bring benefits to all mankind for generations, even for ever.

For example Teflon and other non-stick technology, whose uses span far beyond frying pans into medecine, engineering etc was the result of the first moonshots,
www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20230516-apollo-how-moon-missions-changed-the-modern-world

I do not know the firms involved in this but it won’t all be tech giants. Universities are generally involved and will outsource to skilled engineers most of whom aren’t millionaires

The money wouldn’t be directed at the poor though.

At least all the engineers who worked on this would have got paid and in turn paid back into the economy. Technology and. Engineering evolves constantly, it would be wrong to curtail development.

I obviously wish America treated their own people better

I think we have to get our own house in order here on Earth. Yes there will be benefits from space exploration but will that benefit ordinary people or billionaire tech giants? Then again what would US governments do with money saved if space exploration didn’t happen, would that benefit the ordinary people??
Either way I don’t think anyone struggling on Earth right now would benefit.

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.

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?

Yes!

Personally, and I do understand the benefits, I feel we have a world of deserts and under the sea which might benefit all of mankind too.

No it isn't right.

Mister Trump will think it money very well spent if it will provide further distraction from questions about his close friendship with deceased paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Say no more......

Since time began on earth we have been at war with each other. The human race is a disgrace wanting to destroy everything around us it makes no sense whatsoever.

We live on a beautiful planet but history alone tells us we don't appreciate it and we never have. We should be healing the damage we have done and learnt from our history.

Space travel is a waste of resources that could be spent filling in the gaps between developed and the many underdeveloped countries. Making equality of life for everyone on earth possible.
The rest of the universe is at risk being invaded by us the human race.

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?

I have decided to delude myself into thinking it is a good thing because Musk and Trump can go live there with their trillions of dollars and leave us alone.

I can't even imagine what it is going to take for our children and grandchildren to pay for Trump's crap.

I agree with SueDonim.
Awe struck with the launch as I was with the landing on the Moon in 1969 x

I’ve just watched the launch and it fills me with awe that mankind can create such a machine. I’ve always been fascinated by space travel, it never fails to astound me, though I have no desire to visit space myself.

I think that if humanity never took risks and chances, we’d all still be living in caves. I feel money could be found for both missions such as this and to solve problems back on earth, if there was the political will.

Space programmes do have learning consequences and it's not only the US which has such a programme. The cost of such programmes within national expenditure priorities is an entirely domestic matter for the countries involved.

Thanks Rosie51

We tend to forget the benefits it can bring and it's good to have a reminder.

Really difficult question because whilst it’s very easy to demonstrate what those dollars could enable here on earth, we could learn a great deal from what is learned during the mission.
Wishing those brave people a safe return.

I have always been conflicted about the use of such sums of money but thought I remembered hearing the spin off benefits have been huge. A quick google reveals:

Key benefits gained from lunar exploration include:

Technological Spinoffs: Technologies developed for space have found extensive use on Earth, including, but not limited to:

Medical & Health: Improved imaging technology (CAT scans), advanced, lightweight prosthetic limbs, and ear thermometers.

Public Safety & Materials: Fire-resistant materials, water purification systems, and space blankets.

Computing: Miniaturization of technology and advancements in computer microchips, which are vital for modern devices.

Everyday Consumer Goods: Memory foam, scratch-resistant glasses, camera phones, and cordless electronics.

Scientific Knowledge: Lunar samples and instruments helped determine the Moon's age, interior structure, and composition. Understanding the Moon's impact craters has been vital to understanding the geological evolution of Earth, Venus, and Mars.

Environmental & Weather Monitoring: Technologies developed for space have led to better meteorological forecasting, aiding in tracking hurricanes and studying climate change.

Economic Returns: For every dollar invested in space exploration, the economy has historically benefited by a factor of 5 to 7.

Future Capabilities: The moon serves as a testbed for technologies needed to reach Mars, such as testing life support systems and investigating how to utilize local lunar resources (like water ice).

Inspiration and Cooperation: The Apollo missions revolutionized space technology and inspired generations of engineers and scientists, while fostering international cooperation.

The CAT scans will have saved so many lives, although I suppose nobody can know if those discoveries would have come from other means. They wouldn't come from investment in housing etc it would have to be in direct research. I found the bolded economic benefit quite surprising.

I agree the money could be better spent elsewhere but I also wish the crew a safe journey and return home to earth to their families without mishap.

Wyllow3

On the moral maze the one speaking against it said spend it on saving the earth climate wise. ( regeneration projects and so on)

Trump isn't going to do that even if there was no space programme.

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.

On the moral maze the one speaking against it said spend it on saving the earth climate wise. ( regeneration projects and so on)

Just think of the number of low cost basic homes it could build, or repairs and refurbish the buildings of basic medical services that provide medicare. I cant leave those thoughts behind.

As regards seeing the other side of the moon, it can be done with sending cameras up. Amazing discoveries are being made in this way all the time, new insights into black holes for example.