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Why Explore Space?
 Comprehend the
Historical Benefits of
Exploration
 Comprehend the US
Strategic Plan to
Explore Space
 Comprehend the
Current Costs of
Exploring Space
 Comprehend the
Practical Benefits of
Space Exploration
Lesson Overview
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The Historical Benefits of Exploration
The US Strategic Plan to Explore Space
The Current Costs of Exploring Space
The Practical Benefits of Space Exploration
The Historical Benefits of Exploration
 Man is an explorer
 Successful civilizations are often
the most likely to undertake the
dangers and costs of exploring
strange lands
 Such civilizations sought access
to distant riches
 Exploration led to increased
knowledge and the development
of new technologies
Historical Examples of Technological
Advancements Through Exploration
 Sailing techniques, shipbuilding, and navigation
 More-accurate maps of the world
 The marine clock and the portable watch
 New World food and plant products
The US Strategic Plan to Explore Space
 On 14 January 2004, the
President announced a new
vision for American efforts in
space
 A new spaceship to carry
astronauts to other worlds:
Orion
 A series of robotic missions to
the Moon
BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan (2011-2021)
 Strategic Goal 1: Extend and sustain human activities across the solar
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system
Strategic Goal 2: Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the
universe in which we live
Strategic Goal 3: Create the innovative new space technologies for our
exploration, science, and economic future.
Strategic Goal 4: Advance aeronautics research for societal benefit
Strategic Goal 5: Enable program and institutional capabilities to conduct
NASA’s aeronautic and space activities.
Strategic Goal 6: Share NASA with the public, educators, and students to
provide opportunities to participate in our Mission, foster innovation, and
contribute to a strong national economy.
NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan (2011-2021)
 Strategic Goal 1: Extend and sustain human activities across the solar
system
International Space Station
Commercial Space Partnerships
NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan (2011-2021)
 Strategic Goal 2: Expand scientific understanding of the Earth and the
universe in which we live
Solar Dynamics Observatory
Radiation Belt Storm Probes (2012)
Lake Mead 1985
James Webb Space Telescope
Juno (2011)
Lake Mead 2010
NASA’s 2011 Strategic Plan (2011-2021)
 Strategic Goal 3: Create the innovative new space technologies for our
exploration, science, and economic future.
The New Worlds Observer is a large
in-space instrument designed to block
the light of nearby stars to observe
their orbiting planets.
X-48B
How the International Space Station Will Advance
Space Exploration
 Focus on understanding and
overcoming the effects of
space flight on human health
 This research will help make
future space missions safer
for astronauts
Spending on Space Exploration Versus Other
Spending
 Americans spend more on pet
food than they do to explore
outer space
 Space exploration is arguably
more like an investment
 Money spent on space tends to
have lasting impacts
The NASA budget for 2012 is $18 billion which includes $4.3 billion for the Space
Shuttle and International Space Station programs, $5 billion for science, $3.9 billion
for future exploration systems and $569 million for aeronautics research.
The Practical Benefits of Space Exploration
The Argument for Funding
 NASA “built” an establishment of
space scientists
 Space exploration requires broad
range of disciplines:
Astrophysics, biology, physiology,
chemistry, engineering, and
planetary geology
 Without the space program, the
United States would have far less
scientific expertise
How Space Exploration Has Led to Medical
Breakthroughs
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Space science lifts Americans
economically and is a boon as
well to American health
Important medical
breakthroughs
There’s no telling what other
benefits may arise from future
space programs, since such
discoveries often happen by
chance
Why Explore Space?
 Comprehend the
Historical Benefits of
Exploration
 Comprehend the US
Strategic Plan to
Explore Space
 Comprehend the
Current Costs of
Exploring Space
 Comprehend the
Practical Benefits of
Space Exploration