Tommy Gaertner

Astronomy Signature Assignment

Space Exploration: At What Cost?

Perhaps one of the most exciting things that the human race has been able to achieve in the last

60 or so years has been space travel and the ability to explore the moon and other planets. A lot of this

was made possible through breakthroughs in technology as well as gaining a better understanding of

not only what is required for space travel but also what the human body is physically capable of. Of

course, a lot of what space exploration has to offer is exciting, to say the least, but what is the cost of

space travel financially? What sort of impact does it have on the environment? What sort of effects, if

any, does it have on those who expose themselves to the harsh environments of space? This is a

discussion that a lot of people are very willing to have, but others would rather focus on the more

exciting aspects space travel has to offer rather than some of the behind the scenes elements.

As recently as 2010, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is believed to have

spent an estimated $192 billion since 1971. (Spaceflight, 2018) In this same year, the average cost of a

space shuttle launch or mission was estimated to be around $1.2 billion. In 2014, the annual budget

allocated towards NASA was $17.5 billion which roughly translates to every single American contributing

an average of $54 towards NASA’s funding. (Popular Science, 2018) Now that may seem like an

astronomical amount at first glance, but when you consider the cost of each launch or mission, as well

as the costs associated with repairs and technological updates to make these missions and exploration

possible, it is actually a relatively small budget left for NASA to operate with. Popular Science conducted

some research relating to costs on 5 major launches or missions dating back to 1990. The Hubble

telescope, in operation from 1990-2021 had a budget of $14 billion. The Cassini, in operation from 1990-

2017 had a budget of $3.3 billion. The Curiosity Rover, in operation from 2003-2016 had a budget of

$2.6 billion. The New Horizons satellite, in operation from 2001-2016 had a budget of $0.7 billion. And

finally, the Europa Mission, in operation from 2015-2028 had an estimated budget of $2.5 billion.

(Popular Science, 2018) (since this one still has 10 years left, it’s exact operation cost is still to be
Tommy Gaertner
Astronomy Signature Assignment

determined.) When you consider that the average cost of these 5 missions alone so far is $4.62 billion,

an annual budget of $17.5 billion needs to be allocated very carefully in order to yield the best results

possible.

In order to even begin considering going to space, one must have the required equipment.

Perhaps most important is the rocket itself. Anyone who has ever seen a rocket launched is sure to

notice the amount of fire that shoots out from beneath the rocket. Obviously, the tremendous amount

of gases and heat which are emitted from the rocket cannot bode well for the environment. So what

specific effects does this actually have? According to an article written by Slate, the emissions from a

rocket launch dramatically deplete our stratospheric ozone. Slate also suggest that this specifically is a

matter worthy of receiving some consideration. (Rastogi, 2018) Slate suggests that each separate type

of rocket propellant has its own unique combination of “ozone depleting substances”. (Rastogi, 2018)

Although evidence exists supporting this, it is still unknown what the exact consequences or affects. One

thing that is important to consider when discussing issues with our atmosphere or ozone layers and

space travel, is that space travel really is just a small portion of the problem. With many people

throughout the world driving vehicles and plants or factories producing many more environmentally

unfriendly outputs, several of issues arising with the atmosphere have been around before space travel

was as relevant as it is today. Another fairly common critique of space travel is the vast amount of

fragments or wreckage of previous ships, satellites and even human waste that is littered throughout

space. According to NASA, there are more than 500,000 bits of debris which are one centimeter or

larger currently orbiting the planet. (Kwikpac.co.uk, 2018) Seeing as how this is completely

unrecyclable, this is a problem with virtually no solution in sight.

Just about everyone who knows anything about space, knows that the gravity there is non-

existent. Experiencing weightlessness for an extended period of time can take a while to fully adapt to.

The same could be said for when astronomers return home from space and again have to readjust, this
Tommy Gaertner
Astronomy Signature Assignment

time from zero gravity to Earth’s gravity. NASA states that switching between the two is a lot more

difficult than it may seem since there are several elements which factor into it such as spatial

orientation, locomotion, balance, and also hand-eye coordination. (NASA, 2018) Astronomers who

prepare for flight missions into space undergo professional training in proper exercise and diet and also

endurance. Since going to space is not cheap, when they do go, they will usually stay for around 6

months, sometimes longer. Since crews are so small, combined with the fact that you’re only allowed to

move around within the spacecraft you go in, isolation and confinement can also become an issue.

Potential candidates for space mission will also undergo testing in this field to ensure there are no major

issues while on their mission. If one were to arise, they would not be able to return easily or

immediately. While on Earth, humans are offered a layer of protection most people do not know exist.

Earth has a magnetic field which protects it from radiation exposure that is found in space. Because

astronomers leave this invisible layer of protection while on Earth for their space explorations, they are

directly exposed to any of the potentially harmful radiation outputs there. While onboard a ship, or the

ISS (International Space Station) they have more protection from this exposure, but it is not like being on

Earth. (@WeiPoints, 2018) A lot of the associated risks or conditions that are contracted while on space

mission can also usually be reversed or treated once returning to Earth. (@WeiPoints, 2018) Even with

all the excitement space travel offers, as well as the ability to potentially treat any ailments while in

space, the question still remains, “is it still worth it”?

After considering the related costs with space travel, as well as the potential environmental and

physical affects on humans space travel has to offer, it’s left open to interpretation for individuals to

determine if it is in fact “worth it”. There is little doubt that if you were to ask someone who works for

NASA or has been to space, they would say it is absolutely worth it.
Tommy Gaertner
Astronomy Signature Assignment

Works Cited:
 Spaceflight, H. (2018). Total Cost of NASA's Space Shuttle Program: Nearly $200 Billion.
https://www.space.com/11358-nasa-space-shuttle-program-cost-30-years.html
 Popular Science. (2018). The Real Cost Of NASA Missions. https://www.popsci.com/real-cost-
nasa-missions#page-2
 Rastogi, N. (2018). What impact do rockets have on the environment?.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_green_lantern/2009/11/dirty_rockets.h
tml
 Kwikpac.co.uk. (2018). Kwikpac in Space!. https://www.kwikpac.co.uk/space/
 NASA. (2018). The Human Body in Space. https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/bodyinspace
 @WeiPoints, F. (2018). What Happens to the Human Body in
Space?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/what-happens-human-body-space-
180958259/