Thank you for your starting a specia1 co1umn jor the discussion on space projects. Frankly, it seems to me that our space projects so far have been in the main a waste of money, time, energy, human lives and resources.
The richer countries are pouring large sums of money into space research programs which are of no benefit to human beings while in underdeveloped countries thousands of people are dying of hunger. Besides, many scientists time and energy are wasted, which could have been devoted to improving our living condition. Whats more, many astronauts have died complete1y uselessly in space vehicles which have been faulty. They were young people who hadnt enjoyed the fruit of life yet.
Apart from human wastage, there is the wastage of resources which are finite and essential if man is to survive. I think its high time we stopped these meaningless programs.