ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Other

Felix Baumgartner: Mars missions are a waste of tax dollars

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
November 1, 2012
in Other, Space
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Watch the Mars 2020 rover flex its muscles by doing some biceps curls
UAE unveils plans for new city on Mars, to be built in 2117
Entrepreneurs compete in audacious race after Martian DNA
A NASA Spacecraft Just Spotted a Volcano on Mars Like We Have Never Seen Before

Felix Baumgartner, the supersonic man who jumped from about 40.000 meters above ground is definitely a man up for new thrills and new conquests, so you’d expect him to be all for space exploration. But in a recent interview, he takes the totally opposite stand, claiming that any Mars missions are a waste of money which could be spent better.

“People should decide ‘are you willing to spend all this money to go to Mars?’ I think the average person on the ground would never spend that amount of money — they have to spend it on something that makes sense, and this is definitely saving our planet.”

He went even further, explaining that our curiosity is misplaced.

“I think we should perhaps spend all the money [that is] going to Mars to learn about Earth. I mean, you cannot send people there because it is just too far away. That little knowledge we get from Mars, I don’t think it does make sense.”

Tricky issue he tackles, and one in which there’s no right or wrong answer, but I’d like to give my two cents on the matter. People often ask what benefit we can take from this or that discovery (like for example how does the LHC help us, or why we build telescopes, etc); it’s not just for the sake of science, though one could argue that’s reason in itself. The answer is we don’t know how it will benefit us, but it’s extremely likely that it will, somehow. Most things we take for granted today, such as X-rays or nuclear energy were absolutely useless when studied in their time. It took decades and decades of more work, but when it paid off, it paid off big. So it’s not a gamble investing in research, it’s a long term investment, one which might benefit us or the generations to come after us.

This being said, I’m just curious, if suddenly a manned mission to Mars were made possible and Felix Baumgartner would be offered a seat, would he decline it? My money says no.

Another very interesting insight on the matter was published here.

Tags: curiosityfelix baumgartnerMars

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Agriculture

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

byTudor Tarita
5 days ago
Astronomy

A NASA Spacecraft Just Spotted a Volcano on Mars Like We Have Never Seen Before

byTudor Tarita
2 weeks ago
Astronomy

Astronomers Found a Volcano Hiding in Plain Sight on Mars

byTudor Tarita
2 weeks ago
Geology

Scientists Used Lasers To Finally Explain How Tiny Dunes Form — And This Might Hold Clues to Other Worlds

byKimberly M. S. Cartier
3 weeks ago

Recent news

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

July 4, 2025

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

July 4, 2025

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

July 4, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.