Space exploration-a waste of money?

Yes.
But I dont think that the answer is completely cut and dried.
I think that the main problem is that it is sooooo expensive.
I am not sure so many people would mind if it cost say a 10th of the price.

It does lead towards discoveries that benefit mankind as a whole though, as well.

Yes it could probably be "better spent" but we have a natural curiosity about our surroundings that people have had a passion to investigate.

Without the curiosity of people over the centuries we would possibly still be living in medieval conditions.

It doesn't cost nearly as much as fighting wars... and the benefits can be considerable. The day may come when we need to divert some hunk of rock that is intent on smashing the planet into smithereens - and if there is a remedy it will have been found through scientific research of this kind!

Also, bear in mind that much of the money spent is going to manufacturers who pay it to employees who spend it, boosting the economy...

Possibly, but I think the pursuit of science for its own sake is already a very good cause. There are multiple planet-Earth beneficial spin-offs from space science from which we all benefit in the long term.

I also think space exploration is a wonderfully positive statement about humanity—what a bunch of well-evolved apes can achieve. That thought gives me a glow of hope for humanity in general.

There will always be serious problems in human society, as there are in all animal and plant 'societies'. How we solve them should not limit scientific exploration because, on the whole, greater knowledge of how the universe works is beneficial.

Yes, but others have put so well, mans curiosity about its World and the Universe have brought great knowledge and benefits over thousands of years, without curiosity where would we be?

Would such money really be put to better use though? I agree with what others above have said, much better than I can, about man's natural instinct to explore and evolve. Space exploration is marvellous, in my opinion.

It's not the waste of money which I hate so much as knowing that, having totally wrecked Earth, they are leaving litter and junk wherever they land elsewhere.
The moon used to be full of romantic and poetic symbolism. Its beauty was ruined for me the day man landed.

"totally wrecked"? Come now, that's a complete exaggeration.

Nicely put, henetha.

I am totally in favour of space research. but I am concerned about the huge amount of junk we are leaving in orbit around our planet. A company (British I believe) is developing very small cheap, robot satellites that will collect space junk and send it back to earth, not sure how far away that development is.

I much prefer that the boundaries are being pushed to reach for the stars in a spirit of international co-operation rather than each country's best scientists competing to produce bigger and better WMD.

Good to see such generally positive reactions...

I just went to see the film The Imitation Game. A huge amount of money, thought wasteful by some, spent on an unproven theory which solved the Enigma Code and saved lives, went on to become computers!

I think if mankind stops exploring it would be a retrograde step but I agree we could focus more on researching solutions to flood and famine which might also reduce war.

Hopefully we shall never stop man wanting to know more about the universe, although I do think that some money could be better spent. There are good things about this exploration, one of them being that it has kept people employed, and provided those of us who are not naturally curious some insight to what is 'out there'. It was lovely to see the reaction of all those who had worked so hard, when the craft actually landed, not many people can get that excited about their work.

As usual I am in the minority. I just think we could give it a rest having discovered the world is not flat ( joke) and use the money to explore ways of curing Alzeimers,Cancer and Ebola for instance . Plenty of employment opportunities there I think.Feed some hungry mouths, provide better education I could go on. I wasn't suggesting the money was used for weapons

I worry about scientists finding cures for everything though. I think the planet is getting rather overcrowded. If they do find a cure for every awful disease that causes suffering that would be great, but at the same time I would then hope that an option to terminate life so as not to cause overcrowding and famine would be available.

I fear that we could all end up living in a sc-fi hell of 1000-floor skyscrapers and eating recycled OAPs and waste products, if cures for everything are found. I think a lot of other people fear that too, and our resources are running out, so space exploration should continue. All it is, is future planning.

Really really cannot see many people living in space longer term.

I cant hope that scientists dont find cures for everything either.

If the planet stayed crowded, more could live at sea than they do now. Plenty of space on the waves.
And a surprising number of people dont mind boat living.

Also ways could be explored that more people could exist happily in colder weather? Again, plenty of space on the planet for that too.

Interesting post though jr.I like ideas I have never heard before.

Weather conditions in colder areas here are too dangerous as it is. The sea, likewise, plus there is always the worry about the sea rising because of melting ice.

DBH would love to live in space. I think if they asked for volunteers he would apply, no matter how dangerous. Yet I can't get him anywhere near water.

New Scientist is a good magazine if you are interested in new ideas.

By the way - of even more worrying interest is the fact that the world can't keep up with the demand on its chocolate supplies! I first heard about it a couple of years ago, but it's being said now that it will be quite serious by 2020. It's also apparently who the sugar content is higher now. I think we should probably be growing some sun-loving crops above us. How we water them is a bit of a problem though.

Why, not who! I had wondered why chocolate tasted so awful now, it's already a bit short as more of the world becomes richer and becomes more addicted to it. The demand is starting to beat the supply and land is not available.

Chocolate! Nooo!
I agree that some is tasting different.
Nuttela seems to have altered a lot [only actually started buying it last year]

Sea wise, people wouldnt have to live far out.

I agree with most others, that space exploration is important; it should never stop. I had to laugh at Janerownea's post about eating recycled OAP's. We would be useful for something then! This happens in the book 'The Ice People' by Maggie Gee.If every disease were cured the world would be in trouble.

Cadbury's chocolate is awful and has been for years, the sugar content... yuk. You need a glass of water after eating 2 chocs.

I will start stockpiling Belgian and Swiss choc right now.

I've been stockpiling chocolate for years now, I have at least 5 stone packed around my waist.