How much space exploration is too much? Is it possible that we could spend so much money exploring space that we no longer have the resources to care for the earth?
Some might respond that because the cost of exploring space is exponentially greater and riskier than exploring earth, we should not explore space. Some believe that there is a line of viability, and exploring space crossed that line long ago. They would say that exploring space is actually detrimental to human flourishing. Instead, they say, it is more in line with God’s heart for humans to care for the earth in a sustainable way. They have a point. Imagine if all those billions of dollars and research efforts were put into human struggles on earth?
What we are talking about is stewardship. A steward is one who cares for the property owned by another. We do not own the earth. In Deuteronomy 10:14, we read, “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” So when we think about space exploration and earth, we are thinking about caring for, stewarding, that which is God’s.
What is good stewardship of our planet, of its resources, of its people? Perhaps that phrase “they are so heavenly-minded, they are of no earthly good,” fits here. Usually that phrase refers to Christians who focus so much on eternal life that they neglect God’s heart for human flourishing here on earth. We can certainly focus on eternal life and neglect abundant life.
When that phrase “they are so heavenly-minded, they are of no earthly good,” is applied to space exploration, we could say that all that money used for Apollo missions to the moon, all that money used for Space shuttle missions, and all that money used for all kinds of space exploration would have been better spent to alleviate poverty, disease, and natural disaster. Or to develop sustainable food, water, air and energy sources. Would humanity be better off if instead of looking to water and minerals on the moon and Mars, we looked to caring for the earth?
I am asking these questions as questions that I do not know the answer to. What I do know is that God calls us to promote human flourishing in the here and now. Has space exploration promoted human flourishing?
When we explore, we have all sorts of motivations. Certainly, a space company like Space X is a business with a bottom line. If they lose money persistently, they will shut down. Space X wants to make money. So do the space tourism companies. To create a company for the purpose of making money is not inherently wrong.
We also need to examine the ethics of the company. Is it crossing a line to create companies for millionaires, and in the process of servicing those millionaires, loads of natural resources are wasted for what amounts to a very brief pleasure ride? Should governments ban $1.25 million space flight tickets? Could governments force millionaires and billionaires to use their money to help those in need? Or could governments impose a luxury tax that says if you are going to pay $1.25 million to fly to space, you will also need to pay a 50% tax to a social services agency that benefits those in need? Perhaps.
The answers are not clear.
We humans, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), bear that creative mark of our Creator. As such, we are adventurers and explorers. Always have been. It’s baked in. Therefore, we can and should explore space, especially to learn the heart and mind of our Creator, just as we have explored earth, sky and sea. Of course, within reason. Perhaps the principle we could apply is that we should explore as long as our exploration benefits human flourishing and does not hamper it.
We need to be guarded about this. We Christians can advocate for an approach to space exploration that leaves plenty of room and resources to care for those in desperate need on earth. Yet it seems to me that we humans have the ability to both explore space and care for the earth at the same time.
Photo by Rad Pozniakov on Unsplash
Engaging Scripture 