[Moonman62]

Nope. If we did it right, the solar systen would be our new home. These are the same arguments that were made for the new world (America); too costly and no profit. Look what has happened in just 500 years. :)

I thought the New World was plundered for its gold and legitimate trade soon followed. I think unmanned probes and space telescopes are paying off with a wealth of knowledge, but the Space Shuttle and Space Station in their current states are nothing but money pits. The 100 billion plus dollars going into them could be better spent on space research that would make the benefits we get from space far greater.

[RadioAstronomer]

Yes and no. We could be "plundering" the solar system. This is what I dreamed of as a kid! :)