Comments on: Phoenix Mars Lander Blasts Off

Robotic Dirt And Ice Digger Begins 422M Mile Trip, Unmanned Rocket Should Reach Mars In Spring 2008

[hdinsight]

To Reel-Crazy --

The "virgin wasteland" is the American mind. Educational standards in math & science are so low that most American's are intellectually unable to grasp the critical importance of expanding our knowledge through space exploration. These uneducated individuals cannot make the connection between research/development and how this applied technology directly benefits them. Daily, each one of us reaps the rewards of space exploration -- from safety features on cars to flame retardant materials -- we are DIRECTLY benefiting from NASA's missions and ongoing research. Investing in education/research is seen as a luxury by the ignorant, when it is an absolute necessity. The most devastating deterioration in America's infrastructure is within our EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. Comments that demand an end to space exploration so we can build "smooth roads & a cleaner environment" is a humorous paradox, indeed.

[reel-crazy]

If this country was not in such a state of deterioration at the moment, I would applaud the efforts of this mission for the future of space exploration.

This money could be far better spent right here on Earth. Perhaps new bridges, smooth (certainly it's possible) roads, a cleaner environment, and food for the hungry might be a better start before we begin blazing trails and mining rocks on some virgin wasteland in the sky....