This has never been wasted money. I am sick of idiots blasting the space program. Go and bitch about the billions wasted on mind numbing, culture destorying art and music that our government subsidized. Or the billions in giving forgein aid to countries that hate us. Geeze, just the amount wasted by the post office springs to mind as well. BUT NO, HEAVEN FORBID we actually do something that broadens our knowledge.
This has purpose. It expands human intelligence and understanding of the universe. It costs a mere pitance. Its returns on the investment has been enormous.
It is not the government role to be involved in space. Nowhere does the constitution call for this and don’t give the crap of national security. That is insane. This totally should be funded by private companies and get it out of the business. Government should not give a penny to NASA. Oh and your other items you wrote, they should not get a dime either.