Questions Of the Day: Is America's Space Program Worth the Money?

Where would we be today if we didn't have it? We are in space we are going to stay in space. This is a ridiculous question.

Given the economic times. is the internet, cable, cell phones, computors, health, education, worth it? Not if you are the GOP.

No. Save the money and spend it where it matters.

Of course it's worth it; because we've rarely *spent* money on the space program, we've *invested* it. It has paid us back multifold by giving us (just as *one* example) our modern medical imaging. We should spend much, much more on improving our launch capabilities and research into human spaceflight and other endeavors. Read the history, do the research. The space program is simply the future of humanity . . . and the US needs to stay on top of the heap if we wish to create high-paying jobs. Invest money where it makes you more. That's in space and other very high tech areas.

I live in Huntsville Al.Where Marhsall space flight center and Nasa as well as Redstone Arsenal are. I consider the space program to be as an important as our defense spending. They are intertwined in a sense.

Of course it's worth it. The only place we can go is up. Besides, as Kurt said, we're not spending money, we're investing it. We need to continue to put money into the space program.

No way. Take that money and spend it in more urgent areas.

I say suspend it for 3 years. And check the books because I would bet the waste in the budget is over 30%

Of course it's worth it.

Space, yes. Manned spaceflight, no. Manned spaceflight is much too expensive for the rewards, and robotic technology can do just about everything that a human can do. And even if NASA wasn't completely out of control with regard to manned space flight, safety, and politics, it still wouldn't make sense to send people up.

Absolutely not. I think it's a horrendous waste of money.

NASA is essential. It must be a priority in the budget.

No.

Yes, I believe the space program should be continued despite tough times. When I was a child, the inspiration of the race to the moon sparked my interest in science and fueled my curiosity to the present day. In fact, I'd like to see more money devoted to space exploration.

POSITIVELY!!! So MANY people don't realize what the space program has done for our lives....transistor advancements, computer advancements, medicine, technology, and country pride!!

I do not belive the space program was EVER worth the money spent.

Absolutely not. It's a total waste of taxpayer money.

NO-- for what reason. It fails so often and cost so much. I see no sense at all in the Space Program.

It is a pathetic waste of money that we can't afford. When it started it was a competition for bragging rights. Now we are combining with Russia. We need the money here a great deal more.

There is no question that in the centuries ahead the solar system and beyond will become a larger home for man. The question is: will it be a Chinese, Russian, Japanese, or European home?

We can watch it happen, be a part of it, or lead.

No! it is definitely not worth it. We need to take care of business at home and help the economy here. The money should be spent more wisely. There are people losing their jobs, homes and lives and going out to space isn't doing any good. We can't afford to be continuing at this point in this recession.