Space Exploration and the Cultivation of Culture
Delivered before the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in 2007, advocating for the societal and economic benefits of space exploration.
Full Transcript
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee:
People often ask me, ‘Why should we spend money on space exploration when we have so many problems right here on Earth?’
And my answer is simple: Space exploration isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in the intellectual capital of a nation.
When an agency like NASA dares to dream big—whether landing on the Moon, roving on Mars, or peering into the deep cosmos with space telescopes—it inspires an entire generation of young people to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
They don’t all become astronauts; they become patent holders, software developers, medical researchers, and entrepreneurs who power the modern economy.
To stop exploring is to resign ourselves to cultural and economic stagnation. Exploring the frontier is part of what keeps a civilization vibrant, creative, and forward-looking.
Defining Key Excerpts
"When an agency like NASA dares to dream big, it inspires an entire generation of young people to become scientists, engineers, and innovators."
"Space exploration isn't an expense; it's an investment in the intellectual capital of a nation."
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