Considering the government is about to shut down, due to funding problems (and Boner (Boehner) problems) I can't see spending the money on something like this at the present time.

If we balanced the budget and had a surplus, maybe. There's the little matter of 3 wars, with trillions going to waste at the moment, and states shutting down, due to lack of funding. It makes no sense to do this space stuff now. I can't see WHO it would benefit.

I can see benefits from space exploration. The problem is our leaders do not know how to take steps here on earth, let alone in space. I think we, as a species, have a bit more learning to do in order for space to be a part of our world. We fight, treat each other badly and for the most part, can't manage a day to day existence. I think when we grow a bit more, then space will be in our reaches.

Good comments so far. Maybe it's a very Utopian view with so many nations currently having internal conflicts and economic crises... but space research and exploration I think can also unite countries towards a common goal.

On a side note... I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking an alien invasion would be the best thing for the world. It would make us all get our shit together and unite in the realization that we all share a common world with the same needs and wishes for our future generations.

I was a boy during the moon shot days - it was fun and probably worth doing - however, we proved that there isn't anything worthwhile there - or on Mars for that reason. It's just another government boondoggle (waste of money)!