[taxed2death]

It seems like an incredible waste of human life......just to study "dust". Couldn't this mission have been completed by an unmanned space drone?

[Atlas Sneezed]

We may need to send people into space for military research necessity, but with advancements in computer technology there is no reason for our government to be sending civilians into space.

[HairOfTheDog]

It seems like an incredible waste of human life......just to study "dust". Couldn't this mission have been completed by an unmanned space drone?

I would rather have three minutes of wonderful than a whole life of nothing special.

There is safety in staying home.... but little chance for complete and absolute amazement.

[hoosierham]

So what about the waste in human life of those who die in accidents at home, including drowning in the tub ?

NOTHING is completely safe.

Explorers do it for love of knowledge and maybe a little fame, later come the pioneers who die learning the best way to survive, and then the settlers who truly make it part of man's domain.

The explorers are still the only ones going into space.