Space exploration is not a waste of money. In fact, USA spends only 1% of the budget on space exploration. If it was not spent, instead of a poor person getting a dollar, he would get a dollar and 3 cents. Does this make that much of a difference?
Colonization
Space exploration is not a waste of money because it is the place to turn to for colonization. After many years, earth might not be able to accommodate the human race, but mars will. People want to find out about mars, and if it will be safe to travel there. If colonization is available on Mars then all the space exploration will be worth it. Would you rather die of overheating or overcrowding to death or would you rather plan early to avoid this situation? I think the answer is obvious.
Technology Advancements
Space exploration is not a waste of money because there have been many technological advancements due to space exploration and research. Things such as kidney dialysis and the new artificial heart have been based on technology found in space shuttles. Without this research, many lives may have been lost due to kidney or heart failure. Space is not a waste of money because there have been many necessary technologies stemming from it.
Satellites and Convenience
Space exploration is not a waste of resources or money because we have launched important satellites into space. These satellites help us predict any hazardous weather conditions and provide services such as television and communications. Tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes or tornados would have damaged many lives but because we have been. And without the satellites, you wouldn't have the ease of just switching on your television set and checking if it's a good day to go fishing or watching the 20/20 world cup. People can pay a lot for their convenience. You would not sacrifice your own conveniences for a starving person in Africa.
Gaining resources
Space exploration might even eventually start gaining resources. The money we're spending now might really help in the long run. We probably will eventually start mining from space rocks such as asteroids, meteors, comets and planets. The minerals will help take pressure off the high demand on earth. The price of oil might decrease significantly and you will help the needy with the saved money.
Curiosity
The curiosity of humans leads us to do many things. It is probably the reason for outer space research. The evidence that has been gathered supporting interesting information has just fuelled this curiosity. Curiosity is the root to all sciences. Archaeology, biology, chemistry, physics and many other braches of science were only done because of curiosity. Without curiosity, the human race might still be in the Stone Age. Isaac Newton was curious about the falling apple and why it fell. Big curiosity has made us do big things. Space exploration might lead to a good thing too!
Space exploration is not a waste of resources because it will eventually help us gain resources, help us colonize other planets and give us convenience by using satellites. Space exploration is the key to the future and we will reap the rewards of this necessary investment of money and resources.
