All the money going into space exploration would be better spent finding ways to tackle the problems on the planet we already live on.
Actually beyond the benefits that others have already shared; it may be that in the next couple decades humanities biggest problem will be solved as a direct result of space exploration. Helium-3 exists in far greater quantities on the moon than it does on earth. Helium-3 and Deuterium have been shown to be an efficient and safe fuel source for fusion plants. In this process no radioactive fuel is required and only low-level waste is produced. Its more efficient, cleaner, requires less maintenance, and is safer than current fusion methods. Helium-3 has the potential to provide for the worlds energy needs without producing any air and water pollution.
Harrison Schmitt, an Apollo17 astronaut and researcher for the Fusion Technology Institute, predicts that one space shuttle load of Helium-3 could power the entire US for a year. Ouyang Ziyuan head of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program says that 3 loads of Helium-3 could power the entire world for a year. Within NASA's current plans to permanently staff a Moon Base by the year 2024, are the plans to utilize moon resources for terrestrial use. NASA is not alone in this. China, the European Space Agency, Russia, etc (including private industries) are well into the planning stages of mining the moon. Nikolai Sevastyanov head of the Russian company RKK Energiya has stated that if funding can be found, then lunar mining for Helium-3 could begin by the year 2020. Beyond the moon there are already thoughts on how to mine our gas giants for Helium-3 and other materials.
Who knows what else we may find in space that will benefit us and revolutionize life here on earth. Think of how Aluminum, Rubber, etc has impacted our lifes. Then extrapolate that to the extraterrestrial discovery of new elements, minerals, compounds, gasses, and perhaps even new organic proteins etc. Imagine how these new things will impact life here. Then think of dwindling earth resources along with the local and global impacts of current harvesting methods. From every angle that I look at this from, I think that space exploration is vital to even our near future existence. I think we have waited too long already in building our space infrastructures. We should be closer to being able to harvest space resources and we should be approaching the day where much of our poisonous industrial manufacturing and refining is done off planet.
The waste of money in premature attempts to put people in space simply delays the scientific progress that might make space colonization possible.
Your too late. We are already well into the planning stages and are beginning the building stage for lunar colonization to occur within 20 years (even if just on a limited scale). I think the only waste of the space program has been the wasting of time. I am very glad for my nations renewed commitment to it.
