Do we still need a space program?

[IronParrot]

Coney wrote:

"The technology and resources simply dont exist to make real advances in space discovery possible.....so what is the point of continuing space missions that don't discover anything?"

You are correct in saying that the current missions don't really discover anything, certainly not enough to justify the cost. However, the technology and resources do exist, to some extent. The infotech and nanotech revolutions of the past decade or so have yet to be applied to manned spaceflight. As far as resources go, the monetary resources are there - it's just that NASA is putting it all into maintaining the shuttle.

We need more projects like the Mars Rover, because they actually take advantage of what we have at our disposal.

"It really depends on how immediate you wish to get into deep space. Funding current missions that gain absolutely no ground towards deep space exploration is simply throwing money away IMO. Spending the saved money from cancelled space missions for funding towards improving technology seems a much better idea."

I'm in total agreement with that.