Reply #6: The Shuttles maybe... [View All]

but manned space exploration...never. Aside from the benefitds to science and civilization... manned space exploration defines the human race.. the search for life, either like our own or otherwise, the desire to go to a place simply because it is there, has been embedded in mankind's DNA since time itself began.

Go there in an efficient, cost effective way for sure, but go. So little of romance is left in the world, the search for knowledge is a flame we cannot afford to extinguish.

The argument that the money could be spent to solve probelms here on earth is specious... the money saved by ditching the space program, wouldn't go to feed the hungry... it would disappear into the special interest hole all money seems to fall into.

The beauty and majesty of space is a thing to behold. If they're taking volunteers to go, I'll be first in line.