Can you help me, because I don't get it?

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I don’t get the space program in this country. You might think ill of me, but I just don’t understand why we continue to send men and women into space? I know it’s exciting and all that – checking out “infinity and beyond.” But, once again, we have fellow human beings out in space with a damaged shuttle, trying to decide if they should fix it because they might be incinerated on re-entry. I don’t get it.

I know, I know, they understand the risks. But do they? Do their families really understand and agree to those risks? I mean they are not risking their lives to defend their fellow man against an unjust government; or helping their fellow man by fighting crime; or saving lives by fighting fires.

And then there’s the money. According to some reports I read, NASA spent $17 billion last year. That’s a lot of money. Even if it is only like 0.8 percent of total federal expenditures, that’s a lot of money.

And I know the space program accomplishes more than just exploration. There’s satellite television for one. But, do we really need satellite television (or radio or telephones or whatever is up next)? And then, of course, there's the spying thing, which many would probably say is necessary. But, is it worth losing one life to have a satellite? Are we really that expendable?

I’m certain that I’m not the only person around who thinks maybe we should spend more time (and money) working on things here on earth. And maybe I’m naïve or stupid, or just an emotional mother. I think, what if that were my son or daughter stuck up there in space not knowing if he or she will ever land safely on earth again? It makes me sick just to think that thought.

Surely the way to God is not through space. And it’s certainly not through satellite television.

If you can enlighten me, please do. I am open-minded to this issue, but I just don’t understand how space travel is really helping the human beings on earth.

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