Dear NASA,
I write as a concerned friend. Recently, a Russian Progress rocket failed to reach space, prompting NASA to consider de-manning the International Space Station (ISS). This is unacceptable, NASA, unacceptable because it removes a major goal of the space programs, makes it harder to advocate for space, and makes it harder for space to be used as a tool a peace.
I got into an argument with a friend to explain why space exploration was important. I could only pull out philosophical arguments until I explained the ISS' reasearch programs. It provides tangible, non-Segan like answers for the question "why explore space". De-manning the ISS removes this tangible argument. De-manning the ISS also makes it harder to advocate for this reason, especially if it burns up in the atmosphere, adding to the long history of space station being wasted. It is hard to argue to spend large amount of money if its results aren't around for years and years. The Sudden Self-doubt in Russia over "crash of Progress space freighter" shows what happens when space programs make mistakes and fail. If the ISS is wasted, the same will happen. Finally, without an ISS there is nothing that will stop a military-based space race.
Best,
AronSora
I write as a concerned friend. Recently, a Russian Progress rocket failed to reach space, prompting NASA to consider de-manning the International Space Station (ISS). This is unacceptable, NASA, unacceptable because it removes a major goal of the space programs, makes it harder to advocate for space, and makes it harder for space to be used as a tool a peace.
I got into an argument with a friend to explain why space exploration was important. I could only pull out philosophical arguments until I explained the ISS' reasearch programs. It provides tangible, non-Segan like answers for the question "why explore space". De-manning the ISS removes this tangible argument. De-manning the ISS also makes it harder to advocate for this reason, especially if it burns up in the atmosphere, adding to the long history of space station being wasted. It is hard to argue to spend large amount of money if its results aren't around for years and years. The Sudden Self-doubt in Russia over "crash of Progress space freighter" shows what happens when space programs make mistakes and fail. If the ISS is wasted, the same will happen. Finally, without an ISS there is nothing that will stop a military-based space race.
Best,
AronSora
