[from occupied ga]

I agree to your proposal so long as the folks that pay for it reap the benefits and you don't (at least not without fair compensation).

Works for me. What benefits do you anticipate manned exploration will bring?

[JamesP81]

Works for me. What benefits do you anticipate manned exploration will bring?

Short term, the exotic materials needed for a spacecraft will probably have numerous applications outside of space travel. Also, there will likely be innovative methods of generating and storing power which could have practical applications in eventually getting us off of middle eastern oil.

There will be other, as yet unknown long term benefits. However, the risk justifies the potential reward in my mind.

[JamesP81]

Works for me. What benefits do you anticipate manned exploration will bring?

I don't know why I didn't think of this point earlier:

Let's forget any and all possible economic benefits. Hell, let's assume it's a drain and doesn't make money. Contrary to what the pure capitalists think, money isn't everything.

It's an issue of national security. Space is the ultimate high ground. Ultimately, the nation that controls space, colonizes the solar system, and builds the ships and infrastructure to do so will have domination and possibly mastery of this planet.

Would you prefer that mastery to belong to China, or the US?