Why do we need a space program?

We need a space program for the tech/discovery throw-off, defense issues, monitoring of our world, good pr. what we don't need is grandiose manned missions with little to do whilst consuming gigantic budgets.

Why do we need a space program? I hear folks talk about cutting spending. This seems like something we don't really need. If I am wrong, pls tell me why...

I agree, Geo. And, along with nixing the space program, we ought to nix our economical support of countries whose government/people out-rightly spew their hate for, or hope for violence against our government/people. We'd have plenty of money to balance our national budget, AND pay for helping our own. And, I'm not even talking about having to include countries in the mid-East....

I agree, Geo. And, along with nixing the space program, we ought to nix our economical support of countries whose government/people out-rightly spew their hate for, or hope for violence against our government/people. We'd have plenty of money to balance our national budget, AND pay for helping our own. And, I'm not even talking about having to include countries in the mid-East....

It is a national security issue.

Why do we need a space program? I hear folks talk about cutting spending. This seems like something we don't really need. If I am wrong, pls tell me why...

At this very moment, my avatar indicates my reasons why we should explore space.

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

LuciferSam, for those of us who use mobile devices to read Sowal- we can't see your avatar. Can u share your reasons in writing?

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

LuciferSam, for those of us who use mobile devices to read Sowal- we can't see your avatar. Can u share your reasons in writing?

We need to explore space so that one day people who use mobile devices will be able to read SoWal avatars! My tar is a picture of a dog licking his hindquarters with the caption "Because he can!" The reasons we should explore space or anything for that matter are really just fundamental to human nature. Something good will always come of it, some bad things too. Sometimes the results are immediately practical. Other times it's about discovering the wonders of the universe. Seeing as the material we are comprised of is star dust, ultimately by exploring space we will learn more about life, particularly human life. That can only serve to benefit man. I agree with Bob that we need to see a sharp reduction in useless costly manned missions [edit] (like the moon).

The arms race and the space race were remnants of the 1960's. They were about who could dominate or destroy the world first. They both cost a lot of money then, and they cost a lot of money now.

Investment and interest in a space program will only pick up when it becomes neccessary for mankind has to leave this place for his own survival, after he physically destroys it.

Why do we need a space program? I hear folks talk about cutting spending. This seems like something we don't really need. If I am wrong, pls tell me why...

At some point, we are going to run out of room.

Philosophically, what is the purpose of man if we cease to explore and learn?

At some point, we are going to run out of room.

Philosophically, what is the purpose of man if we cease to explore and learn?

here's the rub, though.

I have seen elected officials nix funding for exploration of science that could arguably yield more tangible benefits and a monetary return on the investment.

This is a little bit of a tangent but...
I believe that space exploration- just like the military and war- have become ubiquitous with American patriotism. And that a handful of companies profit from it while Americans struggle but pound their chests every time the shuttle takes off or a fighter jet flies by.

If we are all in for learning and exploration then let's be all in.

EDIT: Sam, switched to my pc. Nice avatar.

At some point, we are going to run out of room.

Philosophically, what is the purpose of man if we cease to explore and learn?

I am a strong advocate of a space exploration program. For the past 50 years we have learned a tremendous amount through space exploration that has helped us in medicine, communications, geology, physics, etc. In Florida, it has provided a positive economic impact through tourism and jobs. 30a is correct that exploration is necessary for the future of mankind not only in expansion of our civilization but also for necessary resources to support civilization.

Now stating all that, perhaps it is time to work effectively at privatizing the space program. All of these items are NOT dependent on extensive government control. In the 1960's it was necessary for the government involvement, but times and capabilities have changed.

IMO, I believe that 20-25 years from now space exploration will primarily be privatized with governments contracting for services.

here's the rub, though.

I have seen elected officials nix funding for exploration of science that could arguably yield more tangible benefits and a monetary return on the investment.

This is a little bit of a tangent but...
I believe that space exploration- just like the military and war- have become ubiquitous with American patriotism. And that a handful of companies profit from it while Americans struggle but pound their chests every time the shuttle takes off or a fighter jet flies by.

If we are all in for learning and exploration then let's be all in.

EDIT: Sam, switched to my pc. Nice avatar.

Thanks. It [the space program] wasn't always like that. Maybe it's because I was just a child, but the 60s were a time of wonder when it came to things like the space program and anything having to do with science and technology. The space shuttle is just plain boring compared to the Apollo program. I don't remember the last time I knew or cared when a shuttle was launching.

I am a space exploration advocate, but it is a huge waste of the NASA budget to send human beings to do the jobs that can be done remotely with robotics, etc. The cost of life support systems run the price way up unnecessarily. We get more for our dollar by sending rovers. Fortunately, Obama has scrapped Bush's plan to put man back on the moon again.

here's the rub, though.

I have seen elected officials nix funding for exploration of science that could arguably yield more tangible benefits and a monetary return on the investment.

This is a little bit of a tangent but...
I believe that space exploration- just like the military and war- have become ubiquitous with American patriotism. And that a handful of companies profit from it while Americans struggle but pound their chests every time the shuttle takes off or a fighter jet flies by.

If we are all in for learning and exploration then let's be all in.

EDIT: Sam, switched to my pc. Nice avatar.

I agree with you on the military budget, which is just completely out of control right now. I don't understand why more attention isn't being given to waste at the pentagon.

As for NASA, you could fund them for 45 years at current levels with the money Obama spent in two years trying to save or create 2 million jobs. I'm sure there is waste there, and yes a lot of private businesses generate revenue from their research, but that money largely goes to employing american workers and bettering our understanding of the world around us.

In fact, one of the neat things about NASA and military spending is that a majority of it ends up being spent right here in the good ol' US of A.

Which isn't to say the military budget shouldn't be audited and cut. It's a huge percentage of our annual budget and could stand a serious once or twice over for pointless spending. For example, I've always been frustrated with lackluster work that goes on in the private sector the pentagon ultimately ends up footing the bill to fix! The money spent is also highly political, with congressmen of all stripes vying to keep projects going only because it brings jobs to their area of the country and insures they get re-elected! It's a mess up there in Washington, that's for sure.

I am a space exploration advocate, but it is a huge waste of the NASA budget to send human beings to do the jobs that can be done remotely with robotics, etc. The cost of life support systems run the price way up unnecessarily. We get more for our dollar by sending rovers. Fortunately, Obama has scrapped Bush's plan to put man back on the moon again.

Obama to Propose $6 Billion NASA Budget Increase - ABC News

You're right about that.. instead, he wants to send them to mars. :roll:

I agree with you though, men are expensive, in time we'll have the technology but today robots are cheaper and just as effective explorers.

I agree with you on the military budget, which is just completely out of control right now. I don't understand why more attention isn't being given to waste at the pentagon.

As for NASA, you could fund them for 45 years at current levels with the money Obama spent in two years trying to save or create 2 million jobs. I'm sure there is waste there, and yes a lot of private businesses generate revenue from their research, but that money largely goes to employing american workers and bettering our understanding of the world around us.

In fact, one of the neat things about NASA and military spending is that a majority of it ends up being spent right here in the good ol' US of A.

Which isn't to say the military budget shouldn't be audited and cut. It's a huge percentage of our annual budget and could stand a serious once or twice over for pointless spending. For example, I've always been frustrated with lackluster work that goes on in the private sector the pentagon ultimately ends up footing the bill to fix! The money spent is also highly political, with congressmen of all stripes vying to keep projects going only because it brings jobs to their area of the country and insures they get re-elected! It's a mess up there in Washington, that's for sure.

Just to be politically fair, how long could we fund them at current levels with the money spent on Bush's unnecessary war?

I would hope that space exploration would be one of the most difficult of human endeavors to be politicized. I'll admit to feeling that our space program is adrift, and I honestly can't see any real gain in going to the moon anytime soon. I think that the international aspect of the space station is really a good thing in terms of showing that differing countries can cooperate on something.

Just to be politically fair, how long could we fund them at current levels with the money spent on Bush's unnecessary war?

Iraq? Hard to say since the numbers aren't broken down by the two wars. but probably around the same amount, about 50 years.

Note my point was not that we spent too much on stimulus, but that we don't spend a ton on NASA.

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

Good point, Bob...er, Kurt. (can't keep these wackos straight...) :shock:

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

http://www.kli.org/tlh/sounds/Heghlu'meH.auHeghlu'meH QaQ jajvam.........

At some point, we are going to run out of room.

Philosophically, what is the purpose of man if we cease to explore and learn?

Right you are... but despite evidence to the contrary we're not yet just mindless robots who can't "breathe" in and out with our cyclical economy. SO WHAT it "X" was allotted to NASA 8 years ago when our economy was brightly dynamic? Our viable long term govt. funded programs (and our elected officials) need to learn to breathe with the budgetary parameters of the times... same as we individuals have to do.

I am a strong advocate of a space exploration program. For the past 50 years we have learned a tremendous amount through space exploration that has helped us in medicine, communications, geology, physics, etc. In Florida, it has provided a positive economic impact through tourism and jobs. 30a is correct that exploration is necessary for the future of mankind not only in expansion of our civilization but also for necessary resources to support civilization.

Now stating all that, perhaps it is time to work effectively at privatizing the space program. All of these items are NOT dependent on extensive government control. In the 1960's it was necessary for the government involvement, but times and capabilities have changed.

IMO, I believe that 20-25 years from now space exploration will primarily be privatized with governments contracting for services.

.
YES!
Also... did I miss something? Because from what little I can perceive, we have OCEANS right here on our very own beautiful planet that we seemingly know less of than outer space. If that's true (& I am not merely guilty of having blinked the other way) then there is a potential question of immediacy and ROI.

Jdarg, that is the nonanswer answer. I understand why having satellites is necessary for telecommunications and defense. I am refering moreso to aspects of the space program like putting people on the moon.

LuciferSam, for those of us who use mobile devices to read Sowal- we can't see your avatar. Can u share your reasons in writing?

Re-read my post. I was commenting on something that happy2bme wrote---

Just to be politically fair, how long could we fund them at current levels with the money spent on Bush's unnecessary war?

i believe we could all have gold encrusted jetpacks to bring democracy to uranus

If we don't keep up, the Klingons will crush us.

And because it is The Final Frontier

When I think of all the money we outright waste, a program like NASA that pushes the boundaries and inspires people seems pretty minor.

For example, the entire NASA budget is 1/3 of what we pay each year for fraudulent Medicare claims. I'd rather see us cut THAT than stop sending up shuttles, maintaining telescopes etc. Cut waste before actual programs.

Robotic vs. manned also seems to be one good way to save $$.