Who are we? We find that we live on an insignificant planet of a humdrum star lost in a galaxy tucked away in some forgotten corner of a universe in which there are far more galaxies than people.
~ Carl Sagan
I can understand my friends who see the space program as being a waste but I've had this argument before and will continue to for the rest of my life (in a nice way!).
What about the big picture? What about the answers to the questions that have been asked since the beginning of humankind?
What about our own survival?
What about the American spirit... science and discovery, exploration?
... and international cooperation... how many things are there that can bring the world closer together?
Cancer research, medical technology... I am no so well versed that I can speak in a detailed, intelligent manner about specifics but it's a feeling... it is part of who we are.
I believe that the good far outweighs the bad and sure a lot goes to support NASA, JPL, etc. but it also helps the economy in return, no? I mean it does create jobs and related industries.
I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.
~ Stephen Hawking 