Sending spacecraft and astronauts into space is very expensive. It would be better for governments to use the money spent on space exploration to improve the quality of life on Earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

What lies beyond our earthly realm has fascinated

humanity

for millennia. Ancient civilisations quite likely knew at least as much or in some cases even more about the movements of the planets and stars than we do nowadays even with our advanced technology and science. They learned about the night sky, the seasons, eclipses, equinoxes, and solstices by diligent observation over many years and decades, so the

space

programmes currently in existence seem somewhat unnecessary to me.

This

essay will explain my thoughts about funding for spacecraft, astronauts and

space

travel versus using the

money

for improving life here on

this

marvellous terra firma. The current time on our beautiful blue

planet

is in some aspects the most challenging

humanity

has ever faced. The dark ages might have taxed people in other ways but with,

for example

, the current climate crisis, the global pandemic, and countless struggles on the political, ecological, and economical level I would think it is obvious that we have enough problems to face and solve right here on our very earthly doorstep. The

space

programmes have allowed us glimpses into the Universe no human being has ever had before and some of the

space

telescopes have clearly sent the most astounding and beautiful pictures back to Earth but

on the other hand

, countless rocket starts have failed, resulting in the partial or complete destruction of multi-million dollar spacecraft and sometimes even the loss of lives. Scientists have known for a very long time that the rainforests act as the lungs of the

planet

, producing massive amounts of much-needed oxygen, on which we all depend. The oceans contain some of the most important ecosystems; not just for the species that dwell in the watery and largely unexplored depths but for the whole

planet

, including us as human beings,

however

Add a comma

,however

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hardly any

money

gets invested into a more extensive exploration of the deep sea. We are here on Earth - facing tragedies

such

as famine, war, destruction of wildlife habitats for industrial advancement, massive extinction of countless species and we worry about

space

? The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat - everything gets polluted by chemicals, industry, technological 'advancements' and yet more

money

is invested in

space

travel and weaponry than in the exploration of solutions to these very real and immediate threats to our

planet

.

For example

, the recent private endeavour of a well-known billionaire to explore

space-tourism

Correct your spelling

space tourism

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cost more than 800 million dollars and a ticket for a one-hour trip will cost each guest 250.000$. If all that

money

went towards the protection of the amazon rainforest the whole of

humanity

would surely benefit hugely. To conclude, it is clear to me that neither fireworks for New Year, which blow millions of dollars into the air

instead

of feeding the hungry children on the globe, nor rocket launches, which have no actual benefit for most of

humanity

and blow billions up into

space

are a cause of celebration.