E. Earth and Space Systems · Space

Is Space Exploration Worth It? Impacts and Perspectives

E1.3 A3.3 A1.1 A1.5About 50 minutes

Learning goals

I can describe social and environmental benefits of space exploration.
I can describe social and environmental costs and problems, such as space debris and pollution.
I can consider different perspectives, including First Nations and Inuit sky knowledge.
I can give a reasoned opinion supported by evidence.

Words to know

impact
A strong effect that something has on people or the environment.

perspective
A point of view: how a person or group sees an issue, based on their experiences and values.

space debris
Old satellites, rocket parts and broken pieces left in orbit around Earth. Also called space junk.

light pollution
Artificial light that brightens the night sky and hides the stars.

evaluate
To judge how good or bad something is, after weighing the evidence.

A big question

Launching a rocket costs a lot of money. Some people ask: "Why spend money on space when there are problems here on Earth?" Others say: "Space exploration helps solve problems on Earth!" Who is right? Scientists and citizens have to weigh the evidence and listen to different perspectives.

Social and environmental benefits	Social and environmental costs and problems
Weather forecasts and storm warnings from weather satellites	Cost: money that could be spent on other needs
GPS for navigation, farming and search and rescue	Rocket pollution: rocket engines release gases and particles into the air
Communication: TV, phone and Internet by satellite, including for remote communities	Space debris: old satellites and pieces of rockets stay in orbit and can crash into working satellites
Climate and environment monitoring (ice, snow, ozone, wildfires)	Risk to astronauts' health and lives
New knowledge about Earth, the solar system and the universe	Bright satellites leave streaks in telescope images and add to light pollution, changing how the night sky looks
Jobs in science, engineering and the skilled trades; inspiring young people	Questions of fairness: who decides how space is used, and who benefits

Weighing the impacts of space exploration.

Evaluating impacts means putting the benefits and the costs on the scale together. Which way it tips depends on the decision and the evidence.

Space debris

Since 1957, people have launched many thousands of objects into orbit. Many old satellites and rocket parts are still up there, along with pieces from collisions. They travel extremely fast, so even a small piece can damage a working satellite or the space station. Space agencies track the larger pieces and sometimes move the station out of the way. Engineers are designing ways to bring old satellites down safely, so they burn up in the atmosphere.

The night sky belongs to everyone

Groups of astronomers, such as the International Astronomical Union, have raised concerns that large groups of bright satellites leave streaks in telescope images. Light pollution from cities also hides the stars.

For many First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, the night sky holds knowledge passed down through generations. For example:

The Ojibwe have their own constellations, like Ojiig, the Fisher (the stars of the Big Dipper), and use the stars to mark the seasons. (See the lesson on Earth and the Sun.)
Inuit elders in Igloolik, Nunavut, shared star knowledge for the book The Arctic Sky by John MacDonald. It explains that Aagjuuk (the stars Altair and Tarazed) is one of the most important constellations in Inuit star knowledge, and that its rising and setting were used to tell the time.

When we decide how to use space, these knowledge systems are part of the picture. A darker, clearer sky helps keep this knowledge visible.

Thinking about perspectives

The same decision can look different to different people. For example, a plan to launch thousands of new Internet satellites:

A family in a remote northern community might welcome faster Internet for school, health care and staying in touch.
An astronomer might worry about streaks in telescope pictures.
A knowledge keeper who teaches star knowledge might worry about changes to the night sky.
An environmental scientist might ask about rocket pollution and space debris.
A business owner might see jobs and profits.

A fair evaluation listens to all of them and looks for solutions, like dimmer satellites or rules about removing old satellites.

One plan, five perspectives. A fair evaluation listens to all of them before deciding.

Worked example

Let's evaluate an impact from different perspectives

Question: Should Canada help build more satellites to monitor wildfires? Evaluate the social and environmental impacts from at least three perspectives.

Firefighters and people in fire-prone communities: earlier warnings and better maps could save homes and lives. Strong benefit.
Environmental scientist: better fire data helps understand climate change and protect forests. But launches add pollution and debris. Mostly a benefit, if satellites are removed safely at the end.
Taxpayer: the satellites are costly. Is the money better spent on more firefighters? This needs comparing costs and benefits.
Weigh it up: the benefits (safety, knowledge) seem large, and the costs can be reduced (plans to remove old satellites, sharing satellites with other countries).
Conclusion with evidence: state your opinion and give the reasons that convinced you.

A strong evaluation names several perspectives, gives benefits and costs for each, and ends with an opinion supported by evidence. Example: "Yes, because earlier warnings protect lives and forests, as long as there is a plan to deal with space debris."

Just for fun

In 2008, an astronaut on a spacewalk accidentally let go of a tool bag. It became one more piece of space debris and circled Earth for months before it burned up in the atmosphere. Talk about the world's biggest lost-and-found! 🧰

Hands-on activity

Count the stars: light pollution survey

You need: a clear night, a grown-up, a printed star chart or sky app, paper and a pencil, and a cardboard tube from a paper towel roll.

With a grown-up, go outside about an hour after sunset. Wait about 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust. Keep screens off (or use a red-light mode).
Find the Big Dipper (the Ojibwe Ojiig, the Fisher). Use the star chart if you need help.
Survey: point the tube at one part of the sky and count the stars you see inside it. Do this in 3 different directions and write the numbers down.
If you can, do it again in a darker place (like a park away from street lights, or a cottage) or with your porch lights turned off.
Research (A1.1): find out whether your town or a nearby park has a dark-sky rule or dark-sky area.
Communicate (A1.5): write a short letter to your family or town council: should we reduce light pollution? Use your numbers as evidence and include at least two perspectives.

What to look for: usually you count more stars where it is darker. A good letter states an opinion, uses data, and mentions how different people (drivers, astronomers, wildlife, people who share star knowledge) are affected.

Safety: go out at night only with a grown-up, stay away from roads, and dress warmly.

Your turn

Name two benefits of space exploration for people on Earth.

What is space debris?

Why is space debris dangerous?

Name one environmental cost of space exploration.

What is Aagjuuk, and how was it used?

What is a perspective?

Why might a remote northern community welcome new Internet satellites?

More practice: warm-up

Benefit or cost? Weather satellites warn about storms.

Benefit or cost? Pieces of old rockets in orbit.

Benefit or cost? GPS for search and rescue.

Benefit or cost? Streaks in telescope pictures from bright satellites.

What is the Ojibwe name for the stars of the Big Dipper?

More practice: on your own

Give one way to reduce the problem of space debris.

Why might an astronomer and an Internet company see the same satellite launch differently?

Kai counted 4, 6 and 5 stars through his tube in the city, and 18, 22 and 20 at a cottage. What do his results show?

Why is it important to name the specific nation (like Ojibwe or Inuit) when sharing Indigenous sky knowledge?

Give one social impact (on people) and one environmental impact of space exploration.

Challenge

Write a short argument (3 to 4 sentences) answering: "Is space exploration worth the cost?" Include evidence and at least one opposing perspective.

A company plans to launch thousands of bright satellites. Suggest two changes that would reduce harm while keeping the benefits. Explain whose concerns each change answers.

Explain how Inuit and Ojibwe sky knowledge shows that people observed space carefully long before telescopes and satellites.

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is a social benefit of space exploration?

What is space debris?

Which is an environmental cost of space exploration?

A perspective is...

For Inuit, the rising and setting of Aagjuuk was used to...

Which is the best way to evaluate a space project fairly?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (E1.3): evaluate the social and environmental impacts of space exploration, taking various perspectives into consideration. First Nations and Inuit sky knowledge is presented as a contribution to science and a perspective in decisions about space (A3.3). The survey practises research and communication (A1.1, A1.5).

How to help: do the star count together on a clear night. Discuss a current news story about satellites or rockets and ask, "Who benefits? Who might be worried?" There is no single right answer; reward reasons and evidence.

Common difficulties:

Giving an opinion without reasons. Ask "What is your evidence?"
Seeing only one side. Ask "Who might disagree, and why?"
Treating Indigenous knowledge as only historical or as all the same. Name the specific nation, and remember that these communities and their knowledge are living today.

Safety: stargazing at night only with an adult, away from roads.

Sources: Inuit star knowledge: John MacDonald, The Arctic Sky: Inuit Astronomy, Star Lore, and Legend (Royal Ontario Museum and Nunavut Research Institute, 1998), based on interviews with Inuit elders from Igloolik, as described in a review in the journal Arctic. Ojibwe constellations: Ojibwe Sky Star Map (Lee, Wilson, Gawboy). For local knowledge, seek out First Nations, Métis or Inuit knowledge keepers and organizations in your area.