I just watched the test launch for the new Elon Musk rocket. I think it's called the Falcon heavy. it's really impressive to watch those stages come back down and land straight up. I often wonder about the money spent on space exploration, and wonder how many people it might feed, house, clothe, treat, etc. could it be spent and thoughtful ways to avoid war? could that money be helpful in discovering a cure for diseases? what do you think is the Better Effort of humanity?
Having been in the aerospace industry, and having made a decent living there, along with a reasonable retirement fund; I cannot belittle the space exploration effort. And for those who don't know the everyday benefits of the space program, look them up sometime, you may be surprised. That Elon Musk and Space Ex are even doing what they're doing is pretty remarkable. Companies, like Space Ex, are in the business as a result of NASA and the federal government realizing a few years back that costs were getting out of hand, and something needed to be done. Privatization was the answer, and we've got Space Ex and Blue Origin now. The thinking was/is that private companies can and will do it cheaper, and that innovation will grow as a result of getting out of the rut of using only the same old NASA contractors; Boeing, Rockwell, Hughes, et al, and continuing to pay premium prices. And it has worked; hence the recoverable booster. But, don't forget about the Space Shuttle that, essentially, did the same thing for many years, though at a much higher price in dollars and lives.
But, yes, it would be nice if we could take some of the military budget and use it for more humane stuff. No argument there.
@Condor5 I want to be clear that I'm very cool with space exploration. I'm not trying to criticize the industry or its players. ive been fascinated by space stuff since i saw them fellas hoppin' around on the moon as a youngster. b/w tv. i was just thinking about how mankind is whomp-sided, and disappointing sometimes. what we can do and what we don't i guess. if an apology is due it is freely offered.
Hey look at that! The Earth is round! Who woulda thunk it? Lol
All that you say is well and good, but the rich and powerful are not interested in any of what you say. From another post:
"The disposition to admire, and almost worship, the rich and the powerful, and to despise, or, at least, to neglect persons of poor and mean condition is the great and almost universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments." Adam Smith.