Final answer:
Space exploration offers significant benefits such as technological advancements, potential new resources, and the safeguarding of humanity's future, despite the substantial risks and costs. The potential for economic growth and the inspiration provided by such missions further support the argument for continuing space exploration. Overall, it seems that the benefits outweigh the risks and expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The debate over whether the risks of space exploration are justified by the potential rewards is a complex one. On one hand, the exploration of space invites the human race to expand its knowledge, potentially find new resources, and safeguard the future of humanity by exploring new frontiers. There are practical reasons to pursue space exploration such as scientific research, technological advancements, and the inspiration such missions provide. For instance, technologies developed for space exploration have found applications on Earth, improving daily life.
However, the risks and costs are substantial. The physical dangers to astronauts, the possibility of mission failures, and the enormous financial investments required are significant considerations. Despite this, advocates argue that space exploration can drive economic growth, create new industries, and help to solve some of the most challenging problems on Earth, like climate change, through a better understanding of our own planet's atmosphere.
In conclusion, while space exploration comes with high risks and costs, the potential benefits to humanity, both in terms of knowledge and technological advancements, argue strongly for its continuation. Having habitats on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars could serve as stepping stones for further exploration and ensure human survival. Whether humanity has a 'destiny in space' is a philosophical question, but the tangible rewards suggest a positive answer. Therefore, the benefits of space exploration seem to outweigh the costs involved.