Future of Space

Future space exploration could have a profound effect on society (even more than it already has). A better understanding of our place in the universe could change long standing beliefs. Space mining could help replenish Earth's resources or provide new minerals. Colonization of other worlds might even save society itself.

Mission to Mars

NASA is developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by 2025 and Mars in the 2030s

Mars Exploration

The Pros and Cons of Space Exploration

Pros

Drives innovation of smaller computers, digital equipment, new forms of fuels, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing.

Gaining knowledge of the universe, discovering new resources.

Zero gravity experiments.

Monitoring the sun, earth, and weather patterns for changes that could affect the planet.

Averting catastrophe from a comet or asteroid

Finding a habitable world.

Finding alien life.

Creates jobs.

It's an adventure.

Countries cooperate on missions.

Cons

High risk for the health and safety of astronauts.

The cost is enormous.

Difficult to service if something goes wrong.

Creates space junk.

Countries could compete for space resources.

Possibility of bringing dangerous organisms back to Earth, or infecting other worlds with our germs.

Is the Space Station Flying Over Your City?

Watch the International Space Station pass overhead.

You enter your location and you find out when and where the International Space Station and other orbiting satellites can be seen from your view.

ISS sighting times and locations