Supporters claim that space exploration advances scientific knowledge. From the earliest Moon landings to today’s probes reaching the outer planets, space research has revolutionised our understanding of the universe. It is not merely about knowing what lies beyond; it is about rethinking our own planet in light of discoveries made elsewhere. For instance, the study of Mars’s surface has reshaped theories of planetary geology, while research into zero-gravity environments has revealed how the human body adapts under extreme conditions. Without such exploration, our knowledge of physics, biology, and even climate systems would remain far more limited. To put it simply, every mission adds another layer to humanity’s collective library of knowledge.

Advocates also insist that investment in rockets drives technological innovation. What begins as a challenge in outer space often becomes a solution on Earth. The need to create lightweight materials for spacecraft led to stronger and more efficient alloys now used in aviation and construction. Similarly, the demand for advanced communication systems in orbit paved the way for satellite navigation, weather forecasting, and global connectivity. In other words, space exploration acts as a catalyst for breakthroughs that ripple across countless industries. Were it not for such investment, many technologies that underpin daily life—think GPS on smartphones or precision medical imaging—might never have emerged.

Proponents maintain that space exploration inspires future generations. At the heart of this argument lies a human truth: children dream bigger when they see humanity aiming higher. The moment astronauts stepped onto the Moon in 1969, millions of young people across the world imagined futures in science and engineering. Today, the International Space Station continues to serve as a symbol of cooperation and achievement, fuelling aspirations in classrooms from Tokyo to Tashkent. Inspiration, of course, is difficult to quantify, but it matters; the engineers solving tomorrow’s climate crisis or developing cures for deadly diseases may well trace their passion back to watching rockets launch into the night sky.

Critics, however, argue that the enormous costs of space programs are unjustifiable. Space projects consume billions of dollars each year, and while governments defend this spending as an investment in progress, detractors call it an indulgence. The reasoning is clear: in a world where hospitals are underfunded, schools are overcrowded, and millions still go hungry, allocating vast sums to rockets appears morally questionable. It is not that critics deny the value of science, but rather that they demand priorities to be reassessed. Why, they ask, should humanity chase distant galaxies while poverty remains unsolved at home? This tension between ambition and responsibility defines much of the opposition.

Opponents further highlight the environmental impact of rocket launches. Each launch consumes staggering amounts of fuel, releasing greenhouse gases and pollutants directly into the atmosphere. Ironically, as humanity looks for habitable planets elsewhere, it risks undermining the one planet already capable of sustaining life. The rapid growth of private space companies and the prospect of space tourism only deepen these concerns. If unchecked, the environmental footprint of routine launches could become yet another contributor to climate degradation, which would render the whole enterprise self-defeating. After all, searching for another world while spoiling our own is nothing short of paradoxical.

Finally, many question the practical benefits of exploration compared to the challenges on Earth. Even if we accept that exploration fuels science and technology, sceptics argue that the returns are neither immediate nor equitable. Billions spent on rockets might produce innovations over decades, but those same funds, if invested in renewable energy, healthcare, or education, could transform lives almost instantly. In short, the opportunity cost is enormous. Critics contend that while space exploration satisfies curiosity and ambition, it does little to address the crises that directly threaten humanity’s survival in the present moment. For them, the pressing issues of poverty, inequality, and climate change demand attention first, while the stars can wait.