[BitWielder1]

That's a lot of real estate and wonders out there.
Some estimates say our galaxy is even larger, but it's hard to tell from the inside and edge on.
I don't get people who say space exploration is a waste.
It's a must, every bit as important as life crawling up on land 400 million years ago.

[beaversmom]

I agree it's very important. It's in our DNA and spirits for one thing...figuratively and literally. We've been fascinated by it from the beginning. Reminded of 2001 again:

Of all the creatures who had yet walked on Earth, the man-apes were the first to look steadfastly at the Moon. And though he could not remember it, when he was very young Moon-Watcher would sometimes reach out and try to touch that ghostly face rising above the hills.