It gripes me when some people complain that the US government’s space program is a waste of money, as if the funds themselves were being launched off-planet.
The current issue of The Erickson Tribune, a newsletter for Boomers and people of retirement age, includes the results of a reader poll conducted by researcher Jered Rasmussen.
I was pleasantly surprised by the majority opinion.
Here’s a summary:
1. Do you think NASA has relevance in today’s world?
60% YES
2. Do you think the benefits are worth the risk and the cost?
53% YES
3. Should we increase the budget to continue manned space flight?
59% NO
4. Should America continue to fund the International Space Station?
52% YES
5. Would the space program benefit from more privitization?
63% NO
and, finally,
6. Do you think the space program has any impact on your life?
56% YES