Why do we invest in Space when there are so many pressing problems right here on Earth?
(This is a several-parts series as the question is often asked, and the answers are so varied and numerous – last week I shared my personal take on this issue.)
From the more technological of reasons to invest in space innovation to the inspirational, here are two answers.
First is on satellites launched to low Earth orbit (LEO).
Probably just about everyone has heard of SpaceX’s Starlink, a satellite constellation that provides broadband satellite internet, but there are many more applications to satellites, and many more organizations and companies with their own missions, and varied Earth observation purposes and satellites capabilities.
From Wikipedia: Earth observation satellites are designed to monitor and survey the Earth, called remote sensing. Most Earth observation satellites are placed in low Earth orbit for a high data resolution. (You can read more here.)
“Observing Earth from space is crucial in monitoring and protecting our environment, ecosystems, oceans, ice, atmosphere and changing landscapes – all elements that contribute towards a more sustainable future for us and our Earth. “Information gathered from Earth observation satellites doesn’t stop there. It also helps us to monitor infrastructure, manage emergency situations, monitoring farmland and efficient food production, protect public health, and ensure public safety.” (From CSA shared on Earth Day, April, 22.)
Dr. Cathy Olkin, Planetary Scientist, former Deputy Principal Investigator for NASA, shared these words with me for this article:
“Satellite remote sensing is a very powerful tool for shaping solutions to challenges here on Earth and for measuring outcomes from mitigations. Let’s consider one global problem, mega fires. These massive fires engulf large swaths of land with a fierce intensity leading to lost lives, destroyed property and smoke production that adversely affects people’s health. Current NASA and NOAA satellites have been detecting fires from space for decades. However, advances in sensors and reductions in launch costs open the opportunity to improve the spatial resolution and the frequency of observations from orbit which will provide actionable intelligence for first responders, incident commanders and land managers. In this way, remote sensing from space allows us to improve conditions on Earth.”
You can learn more about Muon Space, where Cathy currently holds the Principal Scientist position, and read their latest announcement post on an initiative that "aims to transform global wildfire response and enhance climate resilience".
Now to something more inspirational (the one above is pretty inspiring too!):
On 16 September, 2021, four people were launched into space with SpaceX (yes, they indeed dominate many facets of this industry), but this was a private mission paid by an entrepreneur, Jared Issacman, CEO of Shift 4 payments, and with mission to raise money for St-Jude’s hospital. This mission was called Inspiration 4.
The goal was to raise US$100 million to expand St. Jude's childhood cancer research. Isaacman and his wife personally donated US$125 million to the hospital, and contributions by SpaceX founder Elon Musk (US$55 million) and many others ultimately raised the total given to St. Jude to more than US$243 million, far more than initial target amount!
Later this summer (2024), there will be another spaceflight, this mission called Polaris Dawn.
Here are Jared’s words from a TODAY show, he was there with his three crewmates for that mission, talking about the upcoming spaceflight.
“With Inspiration 4 and continuing on now, we’re trying to inspire people to think about this extraordinary world we could live in tomorrow were, you know, we have people living on Mars and, as SpaceX likes to say, making a world more interesting where everyone can journey amongst the stars.
“But you can’t put all your energy towards that and not consider some of the real problems we have here on Earth, and St-Jude Research hospital, they have an incredible vision, which is “No child should die in the dawn of life”.
“So, there are equally important parts of our mission, we’re continuing to raise funds and awareness for St-Jude. And Anna [Anna Menon, Mission Specialist
and Medical Officer]'s book* is one awesome part of that.”
*Anna’s book is called “Kisses from Space”, and she will be reading the book live from space to her kids, age three and six, as well as to the brave patients at the St-Jude’s Research Hospital.
Yes, four people here got the amazing opportunity of a lifetime to go to space, but, huge money will potentially be raised for this mission and St-Jude's cause, and perhaps thousands of people following this will find inspiration and awe for space.
These are pretty great benefits to space exploration, I would say.
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