Thread

1. I_dream_of_Geni · 1790469671 · focus · HN ↗

   OK... Serious question here: we find "life" (algae?) on one of Saturn's moons or one of Jupiter's moons. So, we spend ~$50 Billion (arguably much more) and find "life". So? Why is this important to people? There isn't one chance in (place your own word here) that we can do anything about it or even send humans there. Seriously want to know what people really think...

   1. torben-friis · 1790470216 · focus · HN ↗

      >So? Why is this important to people?

      Because it could then tell us if it's related to us or not, potentially we could get to see how life unrelated to us looks like, how life in general is originally formed, how likely in the universe it is...

      I honestly struggle to imagine how it can be considered unimportant, unless your stating position is that said life is completely unreachable to current and future tech, which I don't find likely.

      1. I_dream_of_Geni · 1790470810 · focus · HN ↗

         Maybe only possibly unimportant based upon the staggering costs involved. Is it really really worth that?? Is finding life worth $10 Trillion dollars?

         1. refactor_master · 1790476082 · focus · HN ↗

            Look up the staggering amount of everyday conveniences invented by space exploration. Theoretically the private market would’ve filled this gap, but in practice we know the market will never be willing to spend the first few trillions on foundational research.

            1. tombert · 1790477270 · focus · HN ↗

               I am all for space exploration, but just in the interest of fairness, I would be surprise if the innovations for the entirety of space exploration approaches even 10% of what the US military has developed.

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