• Space exploration involves discovering and exploring celestial structures in space using space technology.
  • Space exploration has a direct impact on humanity and science. The study of the cosmos provides an important shift in perspective.
  • And compared to humans, robots are more cost-effective, more efficient, and reduce risks. Moreover, scientific discoveries, the construction of large structures, and the space technologies we rely on daily can be carried out more cheaply and more effectively by robots, without risking human lives.

Humans have always gazed at the sky and wondered about the nature of entities seen in the night sky. With the development of rockets and advances in electronics and other technologies in the 20th century, it became possible to send machines, animals, and then people beyond Earth's atmosphere into space. Long before technology made these achievements possible, however, space exploration had already captured the minds of many people, not only airplane pilots and scientists but also writers and artists.

Space exploration, the investigation, by means of crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, of the reaches of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere and the use of the information so gained to increase knowledge of the cosmos and benefit humanity. A complete list of all crewed spaceflights, with details on each mission's achievements and crew, is available in the section Chronology of Crewed Spaceflights.

Why should we explore space?

Benefits for humanity

Space exploration unites the world to inspire the next generation, make groundbreaking discoveries, and create new opportunities. For example, the International Space Station is an unprecedented achievement in global human efforts to design, plan, build, operate, and use a research platform in space.

The technologies and missions we develop for human spaceflight have thousands of applications on Earth, boosting the economy, creating new careers, and advancing everyday technologies all around us.

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Benefits for science

The quest for discovery drives us to develop missions that teach us about Earth, the solar system, and the universe around us.

Science atNASAanswers questions as practical as hurricane formation, as tantalizing as the prospect of lunar resources, as surprising as behavior in weightlessness, and as profound as the origin of the Universe. For example, Artemis Science is a new era of scientific discovery in deep space. The Moon's surface holds a legacy of information from processes over 4 billion years old that were simultaneously affecting our home planet. Understanding how cosmic rays, space weather, and small-body impacts have affected the Moon also gives us key insights into Earth's history.

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Human vs. robot

Cost-effective

Robots are generally cheaper than humans. The average cost of sending a robot into space is about $2.5 million, while the cost of sending a human into space is about $20 million. In addition, robots do not need life support systems and other essentials needed to sustain human life in space, saving significant sums.

Risk mitigation

Space exploration is a risky endeavor, and robots can significantly reduce the risks involved. With robots, there is no need to expose human astronauts to radiation, which can cause a wide range of health problems. Moreover, robots can operate in environments hazardous to humans, such as high-pressure environments, extreme temperatures, and high radiation levels.

Efficiency

Robots are capable of operating for long periods without needing rest, making them more efficient than humans. Additionally, robots can operate in areas that are difficult for humans to access, such as underground, underwater, or in space.

It will not be common for humans to travel in space for at least 20 years. Out of 135 launches, there have been two space shuttle accidents. The fact that publicly funded civilians faced this nearly 2% risk of dying outraged the American people. However, adventurers with private funds will willingly accept these odds; some have even proposed going to Mars on a one-way trip. We will all applaud these brave pioneers while recognizing that robots can carry out scientific research, large-scale construction, and the space technologies we depend on daily in a more effective and affordable way without endangering human lives.