Do you think the United States should spend money on space exploration?

[alaric99x]

I'm in favor of continued space exploration, it's much less expensive than our military budget.

I'm reminded of the story of the US research to develop a pen that would function in zero gravity.  Of course, the effort was a success, but it cost a few million.  The Soviets had the same problem, but they solved it in a different way, they brought along a few pencils.

[timandvicky1]

I think with the financial state that this country is in, they could take that money and put it towards the debt and try to better this country that way then worrying bout this stuff...just saying.

[kapeh12]

I'm reminded of the story of the US research to develop a pen that would function in zero gravity.  Of course, the effort was a success, but it cost a few million.  The Soviets had the same problem, but they solved it in a different way, they brought along a few pencils.

Actually that's an urban legend.  Pencils are never used in space as the dust from the graphite broken off when used gets into the electrical equipment (not to mention the astronauts' eyes) and could wreak major havoc.

[bowrunner]

I think we have to because other countries are doing it and we really can't afford to be left behind.

[ssliva67]

we have learned and improved many things by going into space..there is more to be learned that will be beneficial in the future..i say keep going.

[tashamjoy]

I do think there has to be cuts to nasa and all those things sorry to ppl whose dream is to go into space but i feel ppl are struggeling in the usa i dont feel bad when i hear cuts to nasa or whatever what about cuts in medicade and medicare ppl who are homeless, hungry, homeless veterans, etc i feel like money is more useful in other ways then to explore space

[handllucas]

I think we need to get our own planet straight before we start looking into others.

[falcon9]

I think we need to get our own planet straight before we start looking into others.

If we waited that long, we'd never go.

[hawkeye3210]

I think with the financial state that this country is in, they could take that money and put it towards the debt and try to better this country that way then worrying bout this stuff...just saying.

NASA has an annual budget of around $18 billion, while our debt grows at a rate close to $4 billion daily. In other words, cutting NASA would save us 4.5 days of NEW debt, while costing thousands of jobs and any further scientific advances that could have result. Still think it would better this country to cut NASA?