The United States should explore space.

:) I agree to those definitions. Refutation 1. "There is no reason for the United States to explore space or fund organizations that explore space (besides the search for habitable planets, which I shall cover later on in the debate. " Is that not a very good reason to explore space? You basically admitted yourself why we should explore space with that single statement! As long as we have a reason, we should do it. Plus, there won't be just one reason for space exploration. I'll cover that in my points. 2. In your first argument,you constantly state the word "waste. " Later on in my own contentions, I will show that it's not wasting. Plus, you didn't even state why it's a waste. 3. "Any government should focus more on other, more important, affairs it's own body. " Could you state what other important affairs? I'd like to name an important affair that the US somehow deems valuable. Twice the budget of NASA has been spent on household pets! That's plain ridiculous. (NASA's budget is 18.7 billion dollars) My Arguments 1. Space needs to be explored because there are many disasters that exist in its boundaries. When a massive star dies, it blow up in a process called a supernova. It may then leave behind a monumental, destructive black hole or neutron star. Even worse, there are radioactive gamma ray bursts that can have a negative effect on our safety. Disasters that we don't even know about can happen! A recent study of Mars showed that it may have once contained water to support life, but now Mars if dessicated, frigid, airless, and dead. What happened to this planet that may have once flourished with living beings? Scientists do not know and could find out if space exploration was funded. Lastly, solar flares exist in space that could destroy our expensive satellites that power our devices. For further information, I recommend reading this document. . http://www.windows.ucar.edu... 2. It is proven that space provides plentiful new technology. Over the past years, because we invested in space exploration, technology has sprung up all over the world. The once rare cell phone has become a common device worldwide. And we also invented the GPS! And you know what powers these devices? Satellites! And what taught us how to send satellites into space? Space exploration, of course! Since NASA was funded, it powered our home appliances, improved crops at the farm, better thermometers were developed, the safety of airplanes was increased, and treatments for brain cancer were discovered. Scientists and engineers were able to create safer navigation techniques, better communication systems, and created one of the best topographical maps ever. With NASA's aerodynamic testing facilities, strong and sturdy toy planes were created. Golf players also experienced better feel on their golf clubs due to NASA. Lastly, space benefits those with physical problems. Specials suits were made for those with skin problems and heart pumps were invented. Clearly, space exploration has brought wonderful technology to our world. 3. Perhaps one of the best reasons why we should explore space is because we cannot survive forever on Earth. The UK News predicts that by 2050, we will have to colonize two new planets in order to survive. So you see, we need to invest in space exploration or our lives as we know them are doomed. Stephen Hawking said in a 2001 interview, "I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space. " Space exploration will help us move to a new planet and will help us maintain our legacy and survive. For these reasons, we should explore space. I'll bring in new points the next round. I look forward to the response.