Hot Take: Space travel shouldn’t be funded
Zosia: While the United States allocates nearly 80 billion dollars annually for space travel, the World Wildlife Foundation reports that there are currently almost 7,000 critically endangered animals and year after year, greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. The space travel and tourism industry continues to grow despite warming temperatures and warnings from experts. Major space exploration organizations are actively looking for undiscovered life and habitable exoplanets, emitting an estimated 200-300 tons of CO2 per launch, while simultaneously ignoring and exacerbating the climate crisis on Earth.
Isaac: While carbon emissions as a result of space travel and exploration are regrettable, they provide a minute percentage of overall aeronautic carbon emissions, at most 2% according to Carbon Market Watch. Meanwhile, space exploration helps us understand our own planet better, contributing to resolving the climate crises and the endangered species epidemic. NASA, America’s publicly funded space exploration program puts it best themselves, “NASA’s impact is also seen in the incalculable value of the climate change data provided by our earth-observation satellites and scientists.”
Zosia: Although NASA’s work is incredibly relevant and important in developing our understanding of our world, their work is only a minor part of the space travel and tourism industry. The majority of commercial travel continues to be done by private firms like SpaceX and Blue Origin. According to Pew Research Center, SpaceX launched significantly more flights than NASA or any other research oriented space travel organization, sending off 165 flights in 2025 alone. These recreational flights also release significantly higher amounts of carbon dioxide compared to those done by NASA.
Isaac: The commercialization of something as obviously communal as space is certainly a net negative, but it seems inevitable given the capitalist nature of America and the world at large. All efforts should be made to avoid this. However, if we are to assume that companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin will continue to prosper, it is best to look at the bright side. The engineering feat of getting private rockets into space is a significant contribution to science in itself. As famous playwright Bertolt Brecht wrote in his show Life of Galileo, "Science knows only one commandment - contribute to science.” At the very least, private space companies contribute to the progression of shared scientific knowledge.
Zosia: Their feats in commercializing space travel are undoubtedly notable, but several of the carbon emission “tourism” flights contribute to neither science nor decelerate climate change. The infamous 11-minute Blue Origin flight featuring Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez simply featured vacuous stares into cameras, which came at a $150,000 price tag. As independent companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin have rights to offer trips into space. However, both brands recently received contracts from the U.S. government, offering $5.9 and $2.4 billion, respectively, in funding for space development and exploration. These companies relentlessly release CO2 at the very expense of American taxpayers.
Do you have a Hot Take? Inspired by the hit short-form show SubwayTakes hosted by comedian Kareem Rahma, this new brand-new column will offer a space for some open dialogue about a topic you’re particularly passionate about. Similarly to the show itself, if you are someone with a hot take, please message Zosia @ bowluk9777@oshkosh.k12.wi.us and see if you can get on the same page.
The take must be original and should be something you’re eager to speak on; this makes for the best and most interesting argument.
Of course the objective of this column is to be a light hearted space to voice a fun conviction, and although any topic is up for discussion, talking points shouldn’t incite violence, inspire hate speech, or instill fear.
by Zosia Bowlus-Jasinski
Published February 9, 2026
Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue IV