What is the purpose of space exploration?

Human Space Exploration. Humanity's interest in the heavens has been universal and enduring. Humans are driven to explore the unknown, discover new worlds, push the boundaries of our scientific and technical limits, and then push further. read more

Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system. Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations. read more

Space exploration, in its premature form, has motivated a lot of people into taking up science. A lot of children dream of becoming astronauts, engineers and scientists at a young age. Such children sometimes grow up to contribute in various other aspects of science and engineering; a very popular example is the GPS in your mobile phones. read more

But in space exploration those are the reasons—what I think of as “real reasons”—that are the most important. When Charles Lindbergh was asked why he crossed the Atlantic, he never once answered that he wanted to win the $25,000 that New York City hotel owner Raymond Orteig offered for the first nonstop aircraft flight between New York and Paris. read more