[harryK]

Manned space-flight isn't worth the cost. The technologic barriers are just to great, and the payoffs to small. We are more than forty years into the space age and haven't had one manned flight to Mars or any other planet in the solar system. The cost to do so now would be outragous now and the dangers unwarranted for such an undertaking(ex.lost of two Mars probes). Our world is in a mess, so why engage in such flights of fancy.
Take steps now to ensure the survival of life on this planet before thinking of spaces between planets or stars.

[Centurion2000]

Manned space-flight isn't worth the cost. The technologic barriers are just to great, and the payoffs to small.

An entirely NEW planet to open to colonization is not worth the cost of developing spaceflight ? How much is Earth worth ? How much is having a second cradle of life in the solar system worth ?

We are more than forty years into the space age and haven't had one manned flight to Mars or any other planet in the solar system.

That is a lack of will, not technological ability. We could send skyscrapers into space if we had the will and were willing to contaminate an island in the pacific for it.

Orion drives are the way to go.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Take steps now to ensure the survival of life on this planet before thinking of spaces between planets or stars.

Expand your vision and realize they are one in the same. Cislunar space is where our military and commercial comsats reside and the Moon is beyond with low gavity and resources to power launches to protect and service them.

[qam1]

Manned space-flight isn't worth the cost.

I partially agree,

It should be Manned Space Shuttle Flights aren't worth the cost.

Launch a space shuttle mission one more time for pride then put them in museums

[Flightdeck]

A great intangible result of human spaceflight is it's effect on the next generation. Thousands of smart young adults become the best scientists/pilots/engineers they can possibly be in the hopes that one day they will be selected by NASA. While some do get selected, the end result is a fantastic scientific resource for America to draw from. Without human spaceflight, our overall scientific arsenal would be greatly damaged.

[RightWhale]

We are more than forty years into the space age and haven't had one manned flight to Mars or any other planet in the solar system.

46 years, now.

One has to ask, if one is not practicing self-deceit, why we haven't built a manned moon base and why we haven't had a manned expedition to Mars already. These things could have happened by now, IMHO should have happened by now. So why not?

[hedgetrimmer]

Cordless drills, fire detectors, CT scans and ionized water filters are some of the products that can be traced to the U.S. space program.

If you or a loved one ever needed a CT scan, you can thank NASA for helping to bring this useful medical tool into doctor's hands.

And don't forget Tang!