Is space science worth spending money on?

Why space science is worth spending money on

Governments around the world understand the value of basic science, but prioritizing that funding can be difficult given the variety of competing needs within a country. In 2024, NASA’s space science programs will represent about 0.1% of annual U.S. spending, marking a decline in recent years. As such, space science may need to rely on justifications that go beyond its intrinsic value.

Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin distinguished between “real” and “acceptable” reasons for space exploration in a famous 2007 speech. An “acceptable” reason for space exploration is a logical, quantifiable, and policy-friendly justification. “Real” reasons, on the other hand, are intuitive, grandiose, emotional, and difficult to quantify. Both types of reasons are valid, and together they explain why it is worth investing in space science.

Some reasons why space science is “acceptable” have to do with economic rewards. Research shows that countries that invest more in basic research, including space science, see a return on investment in overall economic performance and growth. This effect is distributed throughout the economy through highly skilled, high-paying jobs. It also has an indirect impact on the economy. Discovery leads to technology and invention, which in turn leads to new products, jobs, and industries. Although technological development is not the main purpose of space science, this type of progress will eventually stall if basic scientific research is ignored.

Another reason why investing in space science is a good policy is that many scientific missions are internationally collaborative and contribute to alliances with other countries. There is also the very practical goal of understanding the Earth on which we all depend by studying other planets and their histories. For example, Venus was once an Earth-like world, but eventually turned into an inhospitable hellish world. By understanding the planet, we can prevent ourselves from suffering a similar fate.

But as Griffin explains, much of human behavior is based on emotional and intuitive motivations, from falling in love with a spouse to enjoying one genre of music more than another. This is a human characteristic that affects our drive to understand the universe and our place in it. In many ways, this is why we invest in space science. We go to new places and discover new things, witness the beauty and grandeur of the universe, understand where we come from and what is possible in our future, and achieve I am thinking of doing so. An amazing feat.

Awe, wonder, and inspiration are among the “real” reasons for doing space science. These are benefits that people can enjoy, but they are impossible to quantify or justify on a budget balance sheet. Still, they are some of the most powerful motivations for studying the universe and our place in it.