Why Is Space Exploration Prioritised Over Solving Hunger?

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The recent invasion of Mars has raised questions and debates over the huge amount of investment made into the project leaving behind the current crisis on the planet. As per WHO, around 673 million people (8.2% of total population) in 2024 faced chronic hunger. While billions are spent on space exploration, this article underlines the balance between space exploration and global hunger issues, mentioning the question that whether the investment is made in progress or ignoring urgent survival needs?

The Scale of the Problem: Hunger vs Space Funding

Issue	Annual Investment (Approx.)	Impact
Global Hunger	Requirement of $39-50 USD billion to end hunger, published in 2023 (NLM)	Could feed millions and stabilize communities
Space Exploration	Proposed $7.6 billion US Space Budget for FY2025 (NASA)	Makes innovations in scientific developments, defence and long term survival

The question is genuine and is highlighting a stark contrast — Why Is space exploration prioritized over solving hunger?

Why Space Travel Matters

Despite enormous problems existing on Earth, the huge investment in the field of space exploration has raised serious debates and questions. The government is focussing on indirect key benefits:

• Technological innovation: GPS, weather forecasting, and medical imaging are major key fields of upgrading.

• Economic growth: Space programs create jobs, industries, and private investment opportunities.

• Global security: Satellites enhance communication and disaster management.

• Future survival: Space colonisation research prepares humanity for long-term survival beyond Earth.

Big tech personalities like Elon Musk are continuously exploring space with various key missions. The reason is not to embrace luxury rather for a strategic necessity.

The Case for Solving World Hunger First

Amid rising need for space exploration because of on-going climate challenges, the arguments over present hunger crisis are also rising because:

• In 2024, nearly 8.2% of the world population is undernourished (FAO).

• Malnutrition contributes to almost 50% of deaths among children under five (WHO).

• Addressing hunger directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for poverty and health.

The investment in food security, sustainable agriculture and humanity oriented drives like Annapurna Muhim by Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj can transform lives immediately.

Prioritising Space Over Food Security: A Crucial Debate

• Space receives attention because it drives national pride, defense strategies, and innovation races.

• Hunger reduction, often framed as humanitarian aid, struggles to attract long-term funding.

Public perception: Space exploration is celebrated as a symbol of human achievement, while hunger feeding fails to attract visibility. This shows that budget allocation is not for humanity or economics — it’s politics and global image.

Also Read: NASA Wants a Nuclear Reactor on the Moon—Here’s the Real Reason Why

Finding a Balance: Can We Do Both?

Both of activities can go hand in hand just by restructuring the priorities and giving them equal chances to flourish:

• Increase international cooperation to address hunger collectively.

• Use space-based technologies (e.g., satellite farming data, climate monitoring) to improve food production.

• Encourage public-private partnerships where space innovation also supports sustainable agriculture.

This integrated approach makes space exploration and solving hunger go hand-in-hand instead of competing against each other. Various government schemes and international organisations of the UN are aimed at addressing these humanitarian works but none of them has proved to be enough for addressing global issues of hunger, shelter, education, health and clothing. Yet, a scheme to provide relief to families in-need is gaining immense popularity because of its quick action responses and without asking any aid from the government sources under the guidance of renowned spiritual leader Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj.

Annapurna Muhim by Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj

In a recent breakthrough in 2025 initiated by Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj named ‘Annapurna Muhim’, He has pledged to provide food, clothing, education, health and shelter to everyone in need. The scheme started from the state of Haryana and has given relief to over 500 homes till now and continuously on-going, aiding the families in-need from 14 Indian states and in Nepal. 

The amazing fact about this scheme is that the decision does not require any documentation from the family, only an initial survey is being done under the guidance of Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj. Assistance is provided to the families in-need until they develop an income source of their own. For more information visit ‘Annapurna Muhim’ YouTube channel.

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