with us and Russia throwing out millions if not billions into space, wouldn't the money be better spent here?

Question

I mean there is so much wrong with the planet we try to live on, and there dumping trucks full of cash to a almost meaningless space program. isn't it time to fix the problem of this planet before we cause new trouble on mars, or on a pointless expierment on a shuttle? Just a thought, have we really been to space, or the moon, at all. could this be just a gaint slush fund for another grand scheme by our government. can someone give me irrefutable proof that we were there?

Answer 1

It IS spent here. Those things people do for the Space Program are called JOBS. Those pay for things like food, clothing, shelter and Health Care.
If not for the technology brought about by the Space Program, you would not be using the computer you just asked the question on. Nor the Microwave for your Pizza. The Satellite for your TV. Views from Space to tell you about Global Cooling or Global Warming, whichever is the vote getter and money maker of the day.
Plastics, ect......
Can you think of any Government Program that does as much for ALL Mankind???
I can't...

Answer 2

Man's future is in space. And because it's so damn dangerous, it takes lots of effort and resources to learn how to do it right.

But I would rather see a private enterprise approach. Instead of spending 100 billion to go to the moon and set up a colony, how about we define what success is, and the put a prize of 50 billion out there for the first company or organization that can accomplish it.

Actually, you'd need to have a series of prizes set up for each baby step, but you get the idea. You get private enterprise and entrepeneurs working on it, and I think success will come a lot soon. One caveat. If you claim the price, all patents and science developed to meet that goal belongs to the public and must be published.

American Lion is also correct. The money would almost certainly be wasted on social programs.

Answer 3

Well, you've got a good point, or actually several good points. on the other hand, the technology that made the computer you're using, almost all of it came from the programs we used to get us on to the moon. So it really did pay big time.

Man has always been an explorer, and we probably can't change our stripes now, so we will always spend to go farther.

But there are so many other projects here on earth, as you say. I guess it will always be a budgetary question, that only our (corrupt?) politicians can answer for us!!!! How's THAT for a defeatist attitude???!!!

Answer 4

In the first place we aren't sending billions of $$$$ into space. Most of the space program pays for the people who support the program. The same people who buy food and homes and cloths and cars etc. etc. etc.
That money goes to the other people who make the food, clothes, houses, cars etc. etc. We don't just pack a rocket full of money and shoot it into space. Also, there are all the life saving discoveries and modern technology that are offshoots of the program. The people who WORK in the space industry would also be poor if they didn't have the jobs that pay them money that they use to shop for other peoples creations so they in turn make money that they spend to by things OTHER people make and sell. Get it?

Answer 5

Yes in the short term. However what if at some point we need to live in space?? I doubt in our lifetime it would happen but with all of the global warming and everything else they are talking about it might happen. Then we would be glad they went up there and figured it out. Or at least our great great grandkids would be.

Answer 6

No. The solution to our problems is more than likely out there. We need to develop new technologies for space exploration. If anything we should be spending more and doing more to get out there permanently, and the sooner the better.

Answer 7

no, they would just waste the money on worthless social programs.

Answer 8

Yes, but not on a war!

Answer 9

Probably.