Elizabeth+C’s+2018+OpEd+Article

The people of our world has always had a fascination with the unknown. The new frontiers of our universe are no exception. The exploratory endeavors of space programs can have dramatic consequences on an international level.

As space exploration becomes more prevalent in our society due to international competition or the enterprises of billionaires such as Elon Musk, the issues of space travel are continuously debated. Our class even debated on this topic fairly recently. From an ethical standpoint, we as human beings must recall that “we do not have a very good track record in protecting our planet” which leads to a hypothesis that suggests we as residents on Earth could surely damage, destroy, and demolish the civilizations, constructs, or creations that reside in outer space (Margaret R. McLean). Space preservation, conservation, and sustainability must dictate our Earthly actions in our extra terrestrial conquests. If billionaires are to continue gallivanting across the galaxy, they must never forget their ethical responsibility to keep our universe safe.

The investment in to the space exploration is substantial and the billions of dollars it takes to launch a rocket similar to NASA’s plans for a new moon rocket that could cost $38 billion quite possibly should be used to completely change the lives on Earth for the better (Mark K. Matthews). As shown in our practice Synthesis Essay Documents in English class, the National Institutes of Health documented their achievements in 2008 that include but are not limited to the increase in overall survival rates for children, the elderly, and AIDS patients. Think about what the $5.3 billion used for space exploration programs could do if it was donated to the National Institutes of Health (Margaret R. McLean). Millions of illnesses could begin or continue to be completely eradicated if the wastefulness of the companies running space exploration gave that money to worthy causes to help their fellow human beings on Earth instead of endeavors that "might" continue to line the pockets of the same companies with money.

Our job as citizens of the world is to help make this world a better place. As cliche as it sounds, we need to work together not to go search for another world to change, another world to explore, another world to have billionaires rule over, but for a solution to our Earthly problems, and a new path to explore right here, called a future of health and happiness.