Manned space flight is dangerous and costly no doubt but unmanned space
flights can not be the solution. There are large amount of tasks and
experiments which require constant human presence to record observations
or study a particular phenomenon.
Unmanned space flights are best suited for reconnaissance missions which are essential before manned mission. A great deal of information gathered from unmanned space missions are required to fail proof the future manned missions. Unmanned missions like "Curiosity" on mars and "Chandrayan" on moon have been critical in providing crucial data such as the amount of radiations astronauts would be exposed to on a one way trip to mars or moon. These observations will be essential in developing space shuttles with much better shielding. These rover provide data but are quite slow in performing tasks like drilling the martian or lunar surface which can be done much faster by humans. Also, large amount of man power is dedicated in controlling these rovers.
Also manned missions are needed if humans want to be a space faring civilization. Recently many companies plan on establishing colonies on the lunar and the martian surface, which will be impossible without manned missions. No doubt it it is quite dangerous for the astronauts to be out there into emptiness and vastness of universe but nothing great is achieved without taking great risks.
Furthermore, instead of stop investing on the manned missions we should invest on fail proofing the manned mission and reducing their costs. Companies are working on reducing the costs for space travel. SpaceX is working on reusable rockets which is supposed to ,significantly cut down the cost of space travel. With every mission there are lessons to be learned which help in making manned space flights much safer.
Unmanned missions are only to better understand the region before humans go and explore it for themselves. They are necessary but not a replacement to manned missions.
Unmanned space flights are best suited for reconnaissance missions which are essential before manned mission. A great deal of information gathered from unmanned space missions are required to fail proof the future manned missions. Unmanned missions like "Curiosity" on mars and "Chandrayan" on moon have been critical in providing crucial data such as the amount of radiations astronauts would be exposed to on a one way trip to mars or moon. These observations will be essential in developing space shuttles with much better shielding. These rover provide data but are quite slow in performing tasks like drilling the martian or lunar surface which can be done much faster by humans. Also, large amount of man power is dedicated in controlling these rovers.
Also manned missions are needed if humans want to be a space faring civilization. Recently many companies plan on establishing colonies on the lunar and the martian surface, which will be impossible without manned missions. No doubt it it is quite dangerous for the astronauts to be out there into emptiness and vastness of universe but nothing great is achieved without taking great risks.
Furthermore, instead of stop investing on the manned missions we should invest on fail proofing the manned mission and reducing their costs. Companies are working on reducing the costs for space travel. SpaceX is working on reusable rockets which is supposed to ,significantly cut down the cost of space travel. With every mission there are lessons to be learned which help in making manned space flights much safer.
Unmanned missions are only to better understand the region before humans go and explore it for themselves. They are necessary but not a replacement to manned missions.
