Comment Re:Finally! (Score 2) 59
However, unmanned missions to scout (and possibly mine) elements and minerals from asteroids, etc. will likely be necessary within our lifetimes given how we are just consuming resources on Earth like there's no tomorrow. Also, the benefits of research that can be performed (again, by unmanned probes) could be tremendous.
I was not aware of the 1-2 billion dollar cost of a single flight. I haven't really kept on top of it - I have just figured that NASA's projects have been dead, due to lack of funding and lack of interest in science in general here in the US. That cost, as you mention, is clearly a concern given our infrastructure is falling apart and our schools absolutely suck. As much as I'm for space exploration and the spinoff technologies, that money could probably be better invested elsewhere.