The original space program paid for itself many times over with multiple technological and engineering advances which benefited the larger economy. One study I saw estimated the dividend as seven-fold, but that seems very low to me.<p>Money spent in technological and engineering development is rarely wasted. And frankly I reckon $8b is worth it in PR benefit alone.<p>Robots don't cut it. There's an irreplaceable excitement in seeing actual living breathing humans doing something incredible. At a time where inspiration and hope is sorely needed - and especially in the fields of science, technology and engineering - cutting the space program seems extraordinarily short-sighted.<p>You could make a valid point that NASA is not the agency for the job, but since the USG seems intent on pissing away every borrowed yuan it can find as fast as possible, I guess I just wish they'd piss it into something I can believe in once in a while.