As lean government funding and public criticisms challenge the future of extraterrestrial travel, Canada should prioritize investing in space exploration.
Space exploration is essential to human survival. It holds the answers to problems on Earth, from economic struggles to global communications, health, medicine, and the climate crisis. Investing in space exploration isn’t only possible, but essential as deadlines for carbon emissions targets set decades ago approach. If our planet crosses the point of no return, we could be forced to search for a new home.
Canada’s role in international space exploration over the years is unquestionable. Canadian inventions, instruments, and astronauts are present everywhere from the James Webb telescope to the International Space Station (ISS). I take pride in these achievements and want to see Canada as a world leader in space exploration.
Canada must continue to invest in and expand its space exploration and research programs if we want to reap their benefits. The Canadian government should partner with international space agencies and private companies to make space exploration a priority and convince more Canadians of its importance.
The effects of climate change, the increasing cost of living, and a plethora of other issues are at the forefront of Canadians’ consciousness. Understandably, investing in space may not be a priority for some when our own planet is in such a precarious position—Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) Federal Director Franco Terrazzano has said the Canadian government should think about their constituents who struggle to afford ground beef.
However, the Canadian government has expressed a renewed interest in the space sector. Future projects include sending Canadian satellites into space through Canadian programs, rather than international ones.
In 2024, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be part of a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mission testing deep space travel capabilities. These plans fill me with the same pride I felt as a child when I saw pictures of the Canadarm in my science textbook, or heard Colonel Chris Hadfield’s music on the radio.
The Canadian Space Agency’s yearly budget of $329 million can be strengthened through partnerships with private space companies.
Growing the space economy incentivizes the Canadian government to create jobs in space-related fields and invest in Canadian companies and space startups, like Magellan Aerospace and Telesat.
Like many, I’m wary of privatizing space exploration, but federal funding can only go so far if space exploration is to continue. Scientific advancement can, and must, coexist with space tourism and resource extraction.
For Canada, facing the future means turning to the stars.
Norah is a second-year English student and one of The Journal’s copy editors.
Tags
Canada, Space Exploration, Space Travel
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