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Should mankind invest in the exploration of space?

Cathy Chan, 16, CCC Kei Chi Secondary School

American astronaut Neil Armstrong said, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind', as he became the first man to walk on the moon in 1969.

Mankind has long been fascinated with the exploration of space. But many people argue that we should focus our efforts on improving our lives on Earth.

Even though we have spent a huge amount of time and effort - and money - on space travel, these investments have been worthwhile. Technology that was created and first helped us to carry out space exploration is now used in our everyday lives.

Satellites are used for telecommunications, television broadcasting, global navigation and weather forecasts. Such technology can save lives in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where people are at risk of volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunami.

Space travel led to advances in many fields, including digital optics used in medical diagnosis, scratch-resistant lenses for spectacles, enriched long-life foods, miniaturised computers, lightweight materials in engines, aircraft and tools, robotic hands, walkie-talkies, self-righting life-rafts and fire-resistant clothing.

Space exploration is also an important investment in the future - for the day when we have used up all the natural resources here on Earth. It could prove to be our last hope of survival. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Jessica Leung, 16, Our Lady of the Rosary College

Powerful countries, such as the United States, Russia and China, continue to invent advanced technology for use in space exploration.

Since the cold war, there has been intense competition to explore space. The more advanced the technology, the more equipment is put up there. Space exploration is simply about powerful countries trying to flex their muscles, and they spend billions of dollars doing it. Surely it is better to use all this money to improve our lives on Earth.

The more spaceships blast into space with the latest technology, the more rubbish will be left out there in the universe.

Useless equipment and other rubbish orbiting the Earth can destroy satellites and affect telecommunications, global navigation and television signals. The debris also poses a hazard to astronauts exploring space. So I would rather choose not to explore space.

Yes, some people argue that space exploration can help advance technology and enrich the human mind. But is it really necessary to explore space?

Instead, I think governments should put extra money towards health, education and improving people's living standards.

Many nations are battling inflation, poverty and starvation. There are many problems that need to be solved. It's time to think about the solutions before these problems become more serious.

Rather than mankind investing in space exploration, that money should be used to improve the quality of life on Earth.

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