Fishman 1 Max Fishman ENGL 145-18 Outline Research Paper Outline In 1962, President John F.

Kennedy gave his iconic speech on space exploration, setting American goals toward the moon and highlighting the challenges that would be involved. This speech emphasized a human purpose in space by explaining how Americas willingness to rise above these challenges would benefit mankind as a whole. This speech sparked an American technological and exploratory movement like never before, which greatly amplified the efforts of the space race against the Soviet Union. The sixties saw massive development of NASAs rocket program, and by the end of the decade the crew of Apollo 11 became the first humans to ever set foot on the moon. The events of this day were viewed by millions of ecstatic Americans at home through their television sets, marking the fulfillment of Kennedys goals as one of the most patriotic victories in all of Americas history. NASA went on to develop space stations and space shuttles, and actually carried out some of these programs in cooperation with the USSR. To many, this is looked upon as the golden era of space exploration. However, our space program has diminished in the last few decades to a shadow of its former self. This seems to be justified though. With the United States acting as a world superpower, we have to fight global issues such as poverty, terrorism, and social injusticeand thats not to mention our seemingly boundless domestic issues. Is it right for the US to spend so much money on space exploration when we have so many problems on Earth? In fact, yes. First of all, we spend very little on NASA. Each American taxpayer only pays about a half of a cent toward NASA per year. That is absolutely

Fishman 2 minuscule compared to larger portions of the federal budget, such as defense and welfare. Just imagine: if one percent of the military budget were allocated to NASA, it would be able to accomplish new and exciting ventures that have been restricted to only blueprints due to lack of funding. Thesis: We should prioritize space exploration.

I. Space exploration benefits the human race technologically. A. Space program endeavors throughout history have brought many innovative products into the hands of people around the world. 1. The space race lead to America having the greatest public education system. 2. Space age materials 3. Communication has improved vastly B. Space programs have driven scientists to constantly discover new things. 1. Helium-3 2. More efficient, environmental products and methods of producing them 3. Resolving health concerns in space travel help humans on earth. C. Global competition in the space industry would open many new doors. 1. Each firm would develop efficient alternative energy sources to make travel possible. 2. Firms would actively look for new ventures to capitalize on 3. Technology used in space could be used for extensive research II. Space exploration benefits the human race economically. A. Space industry has the potential to be incredibly lucrative.

Fishman 3 1. Mining the moon for He-3 could be as billion dollar industry. 2. Space manufacturing would allow us to create more efficient and precision products. 3. Space industry would be a huge capital investment, leading to vast economic growth. B. Space industry would greatly help the Earths environment by reducing strain. 1. Weve already harvested much of the earths easily accessed resources. 2. Newer, more efficient technology will be more environmentally friendly. 3. Alternative fuel sources C. For us to be able to leave the cradle, we would need to clear atmospheric debris. 1. Debris cleaning industry would emerge. 2. Kesslers syndrome must be prevented. 3. Suborbital commercial transport would be enabled. III. Space exploration benefits the human race politically. A. People will focus on more important issues (space) rather than the superficial matters of today. 1. Budgets could be effectively allocated toward space 2. The American political environment would be centered on a drive for improvement 3. Policy will focus around self-actualization, as America is middle-aged B. Other nations will see our example and follow suit, leading to global cooperation in space exploration. 1. Like the ISS, the development of a moon base would be a great political unifier. 2. Proliferation of efficient space technology would drive prices down and give smaller countries the opportunity to enter space industries, such as cargo.

Fishman 4 3. Countries will work together to defend people in space C. Exploration would lead to a sort of space enlightenment, which would be likened to the rise of democracy 1. Completely new ideologies will arise and replace current, outdated ones 2. Government structures could change radically to focus on innovation, efficiency, and progress 3. As we expand, colonies will become analogous to the nations of today IV. Mankinds only direction to go is up, so we should explore space because we can. A. The benefits greatly outweigh the costs, and its not as expensive as Americans think. 1. We spend much more on mundane things each year 2. The Russian space budget has steadily increased year by year... they may know something B. We have many blueprints and ideas already set. 1. Transportation to Mars 2. Terraforming 3. If we can budget properly, these technologies can be realized C. Human expansion into space could be our destiny. 1. Extinction is at risk if we keep our entire race on earth. 2. It could trigger the next step in evolution. 3. Greater variety would arise within the race as different colonies develop.