It is difficult to see the line up at the food bank or the homeless on the streets and not think we should be putting our money into helping these people here on earth.
But investing in space is a long term project with the return not to be expected for decades. With a maximum mandate of five years, the politicians will not be able to campaign using the benefits of space investment but can point out that their party helped those using food banks and living on the street (or healthcare, education, infrastructure etc.).
Chris Hadfield did an interview on May 16, 2013 that had many interesting points. He spoke of watching the first moon landing at the age of nine and deciding at that point to become an astronaut. One of the steps he took was to qualify for the glider pilot scholarship through the Air Cadets. Continued and expanded support for this program will result in more children becoming like Chris Hadfield.
Where my flying career began, 1975 glider pilot scholarship - best wishes to all Cdn Cadets at summer camp! twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/…
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) July 19, 2012
Some of the quotes from that interview need to be repeated:
"We're also inspiring our youth to do something that barely seems possible."
"My advice: turn yourself into what you want to become step by step as a demonstration of personal will."
"In 2001, ISS was barely functional, only 1 lab, it was just getting going. The reason we put Canadarm2 on was to build ISS."
"We are working hard to make the most out of the taxpayer's dollar and make the ISS a fabric of the lives of Canadians."
"On the ISS, when you have 30 seconds free, you go do something else!"
source: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianSpaceAgency?hc_location=stream
Replay is available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26ZePzI6_Y
Maybe if these quotes were made into posters and sold, there could be enough to continue to fund the space program. Rather than just feeding their stomachs, we should also be feeding their brains, giving children something to dream of becoming, a possible alternative to their current life. When Chris Hadfield decided to become an astronaut, Canada did not have a space program. He is now the "King of Space" (http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2013/05/chris-hadfield-crowned-king-of-space-by-the-internet.html).
Long Live the King and the Space Program!
Discussion on CBC about the Space progam:
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Technology%20and%20Science/ID/2385237774/
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