There are many reasons for manned space exploration. The most simple of which comes down to the basic fact that life on Earth simply is not sustainable. Even if the Cult Of Renewable Resources were to get all their wishes, we cannot continue, if for no other reason than the eventual likelyhood that we will face some disaster, natural or not, that will do to us what Chicxulub did to the dinosaurs. Sooner or later, we will run out of not just oil, but metals, minerals, clean water, and more.
The ONLY place we can get a new supply of resources from, barring zero-energy-cost-matter-transmutation (ie, 'magic'), is off-planet.
Why is a manned presence important? Robotic exploration has its limits. A robot is limited by what it can be programmed to do. A remote-controlled or remote-programmed robot is still limited by the time delay in communications - from seconds for Lunar orbit, to minutes for Mars, and hours or days for the outer system. Anything outside of Earth orbit WILL be out of communication with us for significant amounts of time due to solar occlusion if nothing else. And the most versatile, self-programmable, infinitely flexible operator we can put on-site at any particular place of interest, is a human being.
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Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.
The ONLY place we can get a new supply of resources from, barring zero-energy-cost-matter-transmutation (ie, 'magic'), is off-planet.
Why is a manned presence important? Robotic exploration has its limits. A robot is limited by what it can be programmed to do. A remote-controlled or remote-programmed robot is still limited by the time delay in communications - from seconds for Lunar orbit, to minutes for Mars, and hours or days for the outer system. Anything outside of Earth orbit WILL be out of communication with us for significant amounts of time due to solar occlusion if nothing else. And the most versatile, self-programmable, infinitely flexible operator we can put on-site at any particular place of interest, is a human being.
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.