The future of space exploration holds a promise of an amazing future for the human species. Complex question, complex answer. This answer is addressing the questions of government expenditure on civilian space programs. First, it is a good idea to identify what "waste" means. In this case, it can be identified as the differences in benefit attained by putting the monies elsewhere.
It is also important how you define "benefit", whether you are defining it solely in terms of GDP, quality of life, and so on. You can always construct an argument that space is a waste of money if your sole definition of benefit is social welfare, for example. Likewise, government space exploration produces a lot of scientific knowledge, most of which has no immediate commercial application. Therefore, GDP may not be the best metric to use if you are concerned with efficacy of the spending of R&D funds, as opposed to spending the money on semiconductor research or biotech.
Last, there is the concept of diminishing returns. Like any production system, increasing spending an extra billion on space exploration will do less than the previous billion spent. The question then becomes, at what point does spending another billion on social welfare, or paying down national debt, or lowering taxes yield more benefit than the equivalent money being spent on a space program?
There is no cut and dried answer, but it should be obvious from the above that -some- amount of spending on a space program is optimal, and it would be fallacious to say that space exploration in general is a waste. The hard part is determining just how much spending on space is worthwhile. It is not a waste of money. It helps in the future but also loses money at the same time. It will be always be a helpful thing later on. We do lose tons of money and gain some at the same time but it is worth it. NASA had a budget of $16.2 billion with human spaceflight division but also other engineering projects and science funds by NASA.
----------------------
Additional Answer:
It's only a waste when the funds are abused by coruption or incompatance. Otherwise space Exploration is an investment.
An urgent investment.
But not necessarily for the conventional wisdom reasons, which include
researching new materials and technology, and of course mankind's ferocious curiosity and appetite for knowledge.
Unfortunately our technology is advancing faster then human maturity as a race. Our technology will soon be greater then we are mentally capable to properly steward. This enormous responsibility is already out of control. Much like giving a loaded bazooka to a baby. It has been estimated that within a few decades, even the regular Joe or Jane on the street with have technology enough to destroy the planet as an individual. Lets hope he or she doesn't wake up one morning mad at the world with a hangover or severe PMS.
We need space exploration to colonize off earth, in order to save our race.
Why save the race anyway one might ask? Please consider music, art and love.
Consider literature and history, and the young brilliant loving children yet to
be born. Was it, and will it will all have been a great big waste?
Because it is a waste of time Waste of money Risks to life
Rather than having WikiAnswers start out on the defensive, we invite the questioner to come back and outline his case for space exploration being a waste of money, whereupon we can refute his points individually and more effectively.
Space exploration is not inherently bad, but some may argue that the resources and funding used for space exploration could be better allocated to addressing urgent issues on Earth such as poverty, healthcare, and climate change. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of space missions and the potential for orbital debris to endanger satellites and future space missions.
In 2006, an estimated $37.46 billion was spent worldwide on space exploration initiatives. This included expenses from various space agencies, private companies, and research institutions involved in space exploration activities.
$13
Because it is a waste of time Waste of money Risks to life
There you have it ... the answer to your own question: It isn't just a waste of money, therefore it continues to be done.
Rather than having WikiAnswers start out on the defensive, we invite the questioner to come back and outline his case for space exploration being a waste of money, whereupon we can refute his points individually and more effectively.
well, you waste money on exploring it. = D
Rather than having WikiAnswers start out on the defensive, we invite the questioner to come back and outline his case for space exploration being a waste of money, whereupon we can refute his points individually and more effectively.
Space exploration is not inherently bad, but some may argue that the resources and funding used for space exploration could be better allocated to addressing urgent issues on Earth such as poverty, healthcare, and climate change. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of space missions and the potential for orbital debris to endanger satellites and future space missions.
Ocean Eploration
In 2006, an estimated $37.46 billion was spent worldwide on space exploration initiatives. This included expenses from various space agencies, private companies, and research institutions involved in space exploration activities.
yes.
a thousand dongs
$13
There are many people that believe that space exploration is a misuse of money. These people feel that the money could be better used for medicine for example.