The international space station Essay Example for Free

The international space station Essay Space explorations by the United States, and perhaps, by any other nation, are fueled by the desire for human exploration and scientific discovery (Griffin, 2007). The ultimate end could be the possibility of establishing a habitat in space. As ambitious that vision may be, the construction of an International Space Station is considered as a step towards that direction (Griffin, 2007). The international Space Station is a construction in space where astronauts and other experts could study the possibility of living and working in space. The building of the space station is seen by NASA as one of the steps towards making the United States a â€Å"spacefaring nation† (Griffin, 2007). Picture 4. The International Space Station (ISS), is considered as the â€Å"the most complex construction feat ever undertaken. † Photo retrieved from www. nasa. gov/ Current NASA Projects In accordance with Bush’s vision for space exploration, NASA is currently studying and developing lunar habitats that could be used in building an outpost on the Moon’s surface. This outpost is intended to serve as a base camp that could accommodate researchers and experts when necessary, but is stable enough to be left without supervision (NASA, 2007). NASA intends to use the outpost in its study of the moons natural resources. This study is a necessary step in the preparations for America’s ultimate goal of journeying to Mars (NASA, 2007). Below is a photo of a test structure of a lunar habitat, which is yet to be tested by NASA on the ground. Picture 5. Test structure of a lunar habitat. Photo retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/inflatable-lunar-hab. html Bush’s Space Mission Bush’s vision may be ambitious, as it pushes the American scientific community to the limits of its capability. It is also ambitious because it is very costly, not only in money, but also in other resources, such as manpower. Thus, debates on the topic usually revolve around the propriety of allotting portions of taxpayers’ money on space explorations when they could be used in funding other, more pressing, national concerns. Nevertheless, the utility of space explorations and studies being conducted for such purpose cannot be denied. Even in the present time, when space explorations can still be considered conservative, practical and invaluable uses of space technology have been discovered, such as â€Å"image processing used in medical scanners, foetal heart monitors and insulin pumps† (BBC News). Future discoveries of other uses of space explorations are anybody’s guess. The important thing to realize in this matter is that discovery of new and yet unexplored terrain, such as space, the Moon, and Mars should not be seen as a wasteful and futile occupation. Where the means allow such studies and explorations, such activities shall be pursued because precious finds may be waiting as a result. These ventures, however, must be kept in check such that important services such as welfare, health, and education of the populace would not be sacrificed because the latter are more pressing issues that need to be addressed. References 1969: Man takes first steps on the Moon. BBC News. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://news. bbc. co. uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/21/newsid_2635000/2635845. stm Boeing. What is the Space Shuttle? Retrieved March 6, 2007, from www.boeing. com/hsfe_shuttle/what_is. html Bush unveils Moon and Mars plans. BBC News. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://news. bbc. co. uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3395165. stm Camping on the Moon Will Be One Far Out Experience. (2007). Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. nasa. gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/inflatable-lunar-hab. html Griffin, M. (2007). Why Explore Space? National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. nasa. gov/ Hunt, K. (2007). Budget crunch will delay NASAs first manned moon flight. USA Today. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2007- 03-01-moon-delay_N. htm Lane, E. (2004). Bush: Moon Return by 2015, Space shuttle to be retired. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. newsday. com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-bush-space- 0114,0,4190003. story? coll=ny-nationalnews-headlines The History of Moon Exploration. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. telescope. org/nuffield/pas/moon/moon7. html The Washington Post Writers Group. (2007). Going Back to Moon will be Uplifting Endeavor. The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 6, 2007, from http://www. kansascity. com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/16828980. htmÃ'Ž