We can learn as much about space with the use of telescopes, robotics, computers and sensors without the risk of man's folly and putting people in needless harm's way. Plus the amount of money that is involved is beyond belief. It's a needless drain on our treasury and should be restrained.
John Billington
Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Yes! Space exploration is the next best thing to being environmentally sensible, which we aren't willing to do. Unmanned research is an unquestionable necessity, but manned space flight is the real goal. My yes vote comes with a projected approval for advancing to the next stage of development when the shuttle is replaced with improved vehicles. We have to do it for the same reason we have to do all research: [because] we can. The acquisition of new knowledge and the continued extension of our boundaries is just not optional in our psychic makeup.
Art Moon
LaBelle, Fla.

There is no way, in my mind, that the Space Shuttle program should continue. I was willing to believe that the Columbia disaster had simply been an oversight, but the fact that, two years later, almost the exact same problem occured shows how inept the people at NASA really are. It is now clear in my mind that the future of space travel lies in the private sector. So far, private spacecraft have suffered zero casualties: a fact that does not hold true for NASA and the obsolete space shuttle program.
Thomas Dunston
Albany, N.Y.

Although bigger and better space travel has been the dream of this nation since the program's inception, better and more widely applicable research right here on our humble earth would be a better use of funds now being diverted into NASA missions. After we cure, or at least curb, some of the ailments of our backyard and the world, maybe we should again venture out of our planet for knowledge and discovery.
Lindsey Candey
Lansing, Mich.

I think that the space shuttle concept is not suitable anymore. Why after 33 years since the last Apollo capsule landed on the moon, man can only travel to space in a dangerous, lethal vehicle? [If] the U.S. Congress [had not cut] the space program after 1975, we could have landed man on Mars even before 2000, and we could have not just one, crammed space station but several of them. By now we could have seen the first human colony on the moon! But cruel budget cuts forced NASA to rely on the space shuttle—using today technologies conceived in the 1960s! Yes, we should proceed with the space program, but replace the shuttle: its only benefit was keeping the ability of man to go into space during the drought years of the '80s and '90s. But now that we have a new, bold vision (outlined by President Bush), we need a new, reliable space vehicle. Unfortunately the shuttle is not amongst them.
Eran Gafni
Rishon Lezion, Israel

Absolutely. We get more immediate benefits (images, medical research), but also there are likely long-term benefits that we do not fully realize.
Mona K.
Houston, Texas

To those that say that the space program is a waste of money: How much of the federal budget has gone to tax cuts for the rich? You could end the space program tomorrow and you would still have the poor with substandard housing and living in crime-ridden areas. Take a look what the government actually gives away in special interest if you are looking for money to help American society. Better yet, balance the federal budget and pay down the national debt to lower the amount of money that's paid in interest on that debt. That's money for health care, Social Security and such.
Chris West
Washington, D.C.

The Space Shuttle program should be continued, as long as the funds allocated to these missions are not directly infringing upon the development of a new replacement vehicle. The space program should also be continued, as there is some indefinable element of human nature that is satisfied through search and discovery.
Tim Lancaster
Spring, Texas

Other than satisfying their collective ego, there are no direct beneficial spin-offs from this program for the people of this country. Education and Social Security, the major concerns of the people, should get priority over exotic space programs for allocation of government resources.
K. Vijayakumar
Ashburn, Va.

Of course. Humans should continue the road, the evolution ... and the future is [in] space.
Felipe Blasco
Barcelona, Spain

Of course it's a good idea. When this planet is no longer fit for human habitation (rest assured that day will come), where will man go? For those who think this is fantasy, how many more billions of people do you think this planet can handle? Now who's fantasizing?
Costa Moustakis
Jamesburg, N.J.

I honestly don't think they're ever going to find what they're looking for. But God created all of this for us to explore and He created in us the deep desire to explore everything that we can, so I'm all for it.
Lisa
Concord, Mass.

Yes, the shuttle program must be continued, even though the program is costly and risky. One of the main purposes of the shuttle is to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is not only an important tool of diplomacy between nations but is also a laboratory for research on many health issues, like bone and muscle loss, which can help us cure and treat disease on Earth. The shuttle itself can be used as a laboratory and serves as a way to repair and lauch satellites. So is the shuttle worth it? Yes. Should it be retired? Yes, but not until a replacement is found.
Jason Halwick
Northampton, Pa.

Why do we waste our time with these sci-fi fantasies of space travel? The world is not a better place. It never was. We can at least try to make it livable, and devote more of our time and effort towards the betterment of humanity—here on Earth, not in some distant galaxy.
James Alexandros Papastamos
Hamilton, Ontario

No, we should have started a new program years ago. Launching a spacecraft from the belly of a large jet was always the better method, and the cost of the space shuttle is just too high both in lives and in money. We can utilize Russia's large rockets at much greater cost savings in order to place large objects like the space station in orbit. The shuttle program should have ended years ago.
Tim Lewers
Ramsey, N.J.

Absolutely. National image. Science. The Hubble. Research. Considering what we've gained? Yes!
Richard Buchanan
Crete, Neb.

There is nothing so far to confirm that life on any other planet besides ours is feasible for humans. If that is so, why the hell is the U.S. spending so much money and endeavour when heaven knows that we need it to be spent here on the varied issues confronting us on Earth?
Reggie Albuquerque
Perth, Wash.

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