by Guest » Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:49 pm
Ill start off by saying NASA is probably the only government division that stays within it's budget, to the detriment of the completion date AND then makes profits by selling inventions.
Off the top of my head, benefits from space exploration include: Cell phone satellites, dish TV, XM radio, fast internet, medical equipment now used in hospitals, GPS, better "space age" clothing, Tang (just thought I'd throw it in there, I know they didn't invent it etc..)....
Clearly we aren't in a position to decide what would be in the best interests of mankind in this particular situation regarding space exploration. I see your point about going beyond Mars, but perhaps we should ask questions before spouting off that landing on the moon is bad/good/whatever since as it stands we are not in a position to say that $X money would be better spent someplace.
I don't think Obama should be putting his finger in the pot seeing as he really could give a fuck about the program anyway. It is rare but I would say this is one of those times I'll defer to the experts. NASA should have autonomy.
You asked before what was so pioneering about going to the moon, [I]again[/I], has any other country gone to the moon once? Going again, with all the technology we have now... could garner something else. Plus, now we have a space station. Tons more possibilities.