AWA – Argument #5
Manned space flight is costly and dangerous. Moreover, the recent success of a series of unmanned space probes and satellites has demonstrated that a great deal of useful information can be gathered without the costs and risks associated with sending men and women into space. Therefore, we should invest our resources in unmanned space flights.
The argument that only unmanned probes and satellites should be sent to space to gather data on the grounds of reducing cost and risk to human life is a flawed one. There are many holes in the current argument that needs to be filled up.
Firstly, the argument does not state the reasons why humans were sent to space in the first place if everything that needs to be done can be performed by the probes and satellites. Humans, possibly, are sent to space to serve a different purpose like for finding out how the human body reacts to the conditions of outer space. A clear distinction needs to be made between the activities performed by satellites and humans and evidence needs to be provided that the probes can actually perform the tasks of humans.
Secondly, the argument does not mention whether the risks that humans posed in the early years of space exploration have been mitigated by technological advances or not. It seems like the argument assumes that the risk involved cannot be countered and hence only probes should be sent for gathering data from space. There may have been learning from earlier disasters and our scientists may have tackled all that they have faced until now. If this were true, the conclusion of the author will stand weak. Hence the author needs to provide concrete information on this front to justify his conclusion.
Lastly, the argument does not compare the cost of sending a human to space versus the cost involved in making the probe and then sending it to space. It is highly possible that the cost of research and manufacturing a probe with capabilities similar to a human being is very high and hence humans offer a better and more reliable alternative. The exact cost comparison needs to be provided in order to draw out a conclusion from this argument.
Thus, the argument, as stated, is not entirely convincing. In order to justify the conclusion, the author needs to provide a cost comparison, along with the activities and capabilities that probes and humans bring to the table. Also, the author should reason that the risks have not declined and it is still very dangerous to send a human to space. Only then, will the argument will be able to convey its message convincingly.
