[JohnGalt]

Do you see how contrived an argument it is to say the choice is between more money to NASA or money for domestic spending when the real debate should be along the lines of what you are talking about?

[TigerTale]

Do you see how contrived an argument it is to say the choice is between more money to NASA or money for domestic spending when the real debate should be along the lines of what you are talking about?

I am no great defender of NASA. It is a pale shadow of the Right Stuff days. My favorite space program currently is the privately funded X-Prize.

I believe the Federal government has a legitimate interest in promoting the exploitation of space, which is a potential source of uncalculated wealth. The successful history of the Federal role in expanding the American frontier provides both historical precedent and historical justification. Whether this promotion is done through NASA or via some other means is immaterial--and I admit that NASA is a money pit. Current estimates tag the price of a Mars mission at $1 trillion, which seems ridiculous, in light of Zubrin's proposal.