The Real Economic Stimulus – Long Term Space Colonization

On the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, it is only fitting to remember the great accomplishments of America and the advancements that have taken the world by storm since then. The space program in general and the Apollo missions in particular has spurred direct and indirect scientific and economic advancements that have effectively transformed the world we live in.

The Constellation Program, slated to replace the Space Shuttle Program shortly, is touted as the next step in space exploration and potentially, the first step towards the human colonization of space. This of course, opens up the door to new economic opportunities, as the moon is a treasure trove of resources and mystery that is waiting to be exploited. In an interview with Space.com, John Olson, the Director of NASA’s Systems Mission Directorate Integration Office said “This is much more than flags and footsteps. We're going for a sustained human presence in space."

Back in the days of colonialism, explorers ventured to the West on wooden sailing ships through investments made by government entities and groups of wealthy businessmen. These new world colonists ventured through a risky Atlantic Ocean to the ‘New World’ in search of freedom from oppression and riches. Speculation existed back then what these explorers and colonists would find. Today, the outcome of this exploration has spurred superpowers and unprecedented economic benefits. Today, these governments and capitalist businessmen produced from this colonization are in the position to provide the resources needed to once again spur the economic and scientific developments needed to reach this new frontier.

Many people argue that with the world’s problems, the human race is not in a position to become a space faring civilization. "There are not compelling publicly-held reasons for doing this," said Roger Launius, space history curator at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in an interview with Space.com. "Without a rationale that everybody understands and can buy into, it's a very hard sell to get the resources to do it."

However, the benefits of space exploration and colonization are hard to ignore. While we do not know specifically what the Moon contains, learning how to live off the land of the Moon can provide us with scientific and economic lessons that can ultimately be used on earth. In essence, we face the same challenges that we faced back in the colonial days – based on speculation as to what we will ultimately find. "Despite the fiscal challenges and the tough times that we currently are experiencing, we need to go do this because of the economic benefits, because of the positive impact on people in our society," Olson said to Space.com. "It truly is a worthy goal."

Space exploration has spurred many of the technologies we use today such as computers, GPS Navigation System, Cell Phones and more. If space exploration spurred what we call ‘essential’ technologies, imagine what colonization of the moon can bring. One can argue that investing in the new frontier can actually be deemed as the true economic stimulus.

As we sit at the shores of the final frontier, the question is, does the human race have enough spirit to venture into the true new frontier and invest in the true economic stimulus? Only time will tell.

For more information on our journey back to the Moon, visit Space.com’s special report titled THE MOON: Then, Now and Next by clicking here.