RE: Definitely a benefit, but it sure as heck won’t go much farther than that.
What benefit does our Space Program give us? Like the USA, India started with UNMANNED explorers. Their long term goal will be manned explorers too.
The answer to questions about the benefits of our space program is the same answer to the question any Indian has regarding their space program.
I can think of several off the top of my head:
* New technologies that can be utilized in other industries and society
* Many spin-off technologies that have come out of the space exploration program, there have been notable advancements in the fields of health and medicine, transportation, public safety, consumer goods, energy and environment, information technology, and industrial productivity.
* Improved knowledge of space and the origin of the universe
I question how much of that could come about without the risks and expense. My attitude toward space exploration is decidedly jaundiced, but I am not so obtuse as to discard genuine benefits other than those I stated. What, specifically, do we enjoy today as fruits of space exploration what we could not have without it?
That’s a big question. I am not going to press you for an answer or call you names if your thoughts differ. The benefits I’ve already mentioned are good. But we ought to excercise some prudence in weighing whether they are worth the price. No?