In today’s world, we have a rapid development of robotics, artificial intelligence and extremely immersive technologies. The idea of sending humans out into the dangerous darkness of space is becoming unnecessary and, honestly, a waste of time. Instead, we can improve on the power of virtual connections through robots and other technologies, expanding our explorations into outer space in a more efficient and safer way.
Now we all love the idea of humans in space, traveling and expanding into the endless cosmos. Our advancement in space technology has demonstrated our desire as humans to conquer the unknown. Yet, as we really sit down and think about the challenges and costs that come with manned space travel, it becomes clearer that we need to start looking into newer, more efficient ways of exploration. Space is a scary place, and there are many risks that come with sending a living being up there. Astronauts face numerous dangers, whether that is cosmic radiation, the effects of microgravity, going stir crazy or simply human error. These hazards necessitate expensive spacecraft designs and detailed life support systems, costing the U.S. lots of tax-paying dollars that would not be needed if it were a robot. By sending up robots and remote technologies, we can minimize the risks, costs and resources we are using today.
Robots are also capable of doing so much more than humans, all at once. These highly specialized space tasks need unmatched precision, something a human cannot do. Not to mention the harsh conditions of space that could be detrimental to a human body and cause no effects on a piece of metal with no need for life support. Robots are ideal for collecting samples, conducting experiments and exploring distant locations, all while being controlled by humans safely on Earth.
Thinking about this morally, space travel can take a toll on the well-being of astronauts. The physical and mental strains that these people must go through can have lasting effects on their mental health and their overall lives. Robots do not need experience, training or mental preparation; all you need to do is turn them on, and they’ll work nonstop until they need a quick power-up, which again implies the costs of food and sleep compared to a charging unit. They can work around the clock, meaning acceleration in the pace of our scientific discovery. Robots do not experience the same needs and emotions we do as humans, making them a logical choice for all space missions.
As we embrace the new era of technology, it is important to realize humans are not obsolete in their mission in the cosmos; rather, they offer creativity and problem-solving skills that robots need to run. We have the technology today to reserve more complex human needs for missions that genuinely require these skills. Our current exploration is resource-intensive—resources that are not necessary to be used up but are focused on efficiently delegating our robotic counterparts. Technology is known to redefine our approaches to life; why don’t we redefine our approach to space too? We can extend our reach into the cosmos and minimize risks by embracing the capabilities of robots and virtual connection technologies. By doing this, we can make progress while ensuring the safety and sustainability of our space endeavors. The virtual frontier gives us the opportunity to explore; let’s use it.
Presley Zimmerman can be reached at [email protected]
Mary Means
Your article is well-thought out and well-written. Impressed with it. I remember when John Glenn went up and alot has happened since then. I hope you share your article with other publications and national news because you make several ethical and economic comments that make sense and need to be presented for future planning of space exploration cand science experiments.