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

[hawkeye3210]

With trillions in debt and millions of people out of work, of course NO!

Cutting a program that only has a budget of $17 billion (less than 1% of the total budget) isn't going to make a dent in paying back our debt.

[natashaspy]

frankly no, they should spend it on taking care of problems in the actual US before worrying about whats going on outside this planet

[falcon9]

Actually, we ought to be spending more on the process of establishing off-world settlements so that all of our "eggs" aren't in one "basket."  That way, when the xtians get "raptured" by an errant asteroid and go the way of the dinosaurs, we won't all be wiped-out at once.

"Humanity has the stars in its future, and that future is too important to be lost under the burden of juvenile folly (of religion) and ignorant superstition."
-- Isaac Asimov

[ancmetro]

       Yes! Space exploration should continue because our own survival might depend on it.

[davidh121]

A lot of people including myself are curious about space. I want to know more about what this universe has to offer. And...  When we screw up the planet as illustrated in Wall-E we will need a contingency plan to survive out in space or migrate elsewhere.

[dkanofsky]

Complete waste of money.   

[falcon9]

Complete waste of money.   

True, the numerous technological and medical spin-off benefits have been a total misuse of investment funds.  *sheesh*

[ajami]

I think it is a total waste of money.  The money can be better spent on our people.  Same with wars, it is a total waste.

[falcon9]

I think it is a total waste of money.  The money can be better spent on our people.  Same with wars, it is a total waste.

How narrow-minded and a total disregard of the numerous technological and medical spin-off benefits which have resulted from such
investments in aerospace which have had a far greater return than wasting money on those who leach off of 'social welfare programs' and return nothing.

[brum7814]

LoL The irony is The Space Program and Wars have contributed more to technology than anything else on this planet combined.  Go figure.  =-P

[falcon9]

LoL The irony is The Space Program and Wars have contributed more to technology than anything else on this planet combined.  Go figure.  =-P

Exactly my prior point.

[vp44]

I think we should be able to learn whats out there in space and also its very interesting to learn what the space explorers learn. If we could it without a big cost it would be pleasing.

[ktheodos]

No...should be private equity, if anything

[eonprim]

100% yes, space exploration is possibly the most important frontier of our age.  In my opinion we could have colonized other planets in this solar system by now if NASA had even half the budget the military receives.  It is by far the most underfunded faction of our scientific community despite its countless contributions.  If you dont think space exploration is important, stop to consider how much of your technology relies on their ideas and inventions (satellites anyone ?).

[Abrupt]

LoL The irony is The Space Program and Wars have contributed more to technology than anything else on this planet combined.  Go figure.  =-P

Absolutely!