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Space exploration and research is a long-shot in terms of risk/rewards. However, many of the things that are now part of daily life - television, solar energy, the interstate highway system, vaccines for smallpox, stainless steel tools, semiconductor-based computing, etc. - were also long-shots at one point in time. It took many hundreds of person-years of research in metallurgy, hematology, physics, etc. to produce the above, as well as (in most cases) generous amounts of government funding.

These people are speaking from a self-preservation point of view, their jobs, i.e. The monies that are spent and the talent that is involved can be used for the betterment of people here on earth.

It's not science if your working towards the goal of humanity living off earth.

nasa funded my graduate education. i feel very blessed to have been able to attend university of florida, tuition-free with a handsome stipend. nasa had provided research dollars to the universities which was largely performed by graduate student. a great system. i know work in green energy and sustainability. thanks nasa

We cannot take of our Earth, and our needs now are so great, I would like to have spelled out for me the benefits of the space exploration.

I agree that robots should lead the way and eventually prepare the environment so that humans can eventually follow.

Why fly people? Can't robots do the same thing without environmental support?