What does Outer Space have to do with it? (last of a series)

Whether or not space operations can provide physical benefits, there is another benefit: their contribution to the human spirit, to hope.

This century is likely to see human agony on a very large scale--not caused by war and genocide, as in the previous century, but simply by the inexorable growth of the human species. That agony will affect the morale of every living person, as ever-improving global communications make it all too real, even for those not living in want. What will the psychological effects be?

We should consider space travel, space exploration, and space science as counterweights. They have been a source of inspiration to humanity for the last 50 years. That inspiration is needed now, more urgently than ever. Astronomer Neil deGrasse Tyson has stated this need eloquently to a Congressional committee. He has boldly called for a significant increase in NASA funding, even in these times of tight Federal budgets.

Others have said that space travel drains resources from programs that address more immediate human needs. But no one has a program to "keep up humanity's spirits." That is what continued space exploration has the potential to do.