One thing that I think about a great deal when considering a lot of science fiction stories is motivation. Motivation defines why characters do what they do, and defines why communities and cultures move in certain directions. Motivation is the key – and the leading motivation for everything tends to be monetary gain. Getting more out of an investment than you put in to it. What’s true for capitalism should be true for space exploration.

However, as it stands right now, what’s the motivation to invest billions upon billions to reach the stars? Great science fiction has created fictional reasons to launch heros in to orbit and beyond. Whether it’s an impending alien invasion (check out Emprise if you’re searching for a story like that) a coming asteriod (think Armageddon or Deep Impact) or a financial cause (Ben Bova’s Rock Rats is a great example), there needs to be a driving force to get to space.

As it stands right now, we don’t have a motivation to be in space. From what I understand, the International Space Station is wrought with mechanical vibrations and other issues. There’s no real financial gain possible, with the exception for the ultra-financially elite desiring to hop out of Earth’s reach for just a few hours. But hearing plans that America needs to invest tax dollars in reaching the moon or even Mars just seems like throwing good money at a bad idea.

I hope within my lifetime there will be a driving motivation to reach space and explore far beyond our own gravity’s borders. Space travel for its own sake is expensive, dangerous, and doesn’t really progress our culture or mankind. Here’s to hoping we find an impetus for space travel.

Enjoy your weekend!