It must be clearly understood that our past exploration of space has had some of the greatest and most lasting impacts that mankind has known, and continued exploration will prove vital to our very existence. Space exploration and the massive investment it requires are very controversial to many people. They cite continuing social problems and needs for which the monies used for space exploration could be put to greater use. This problem continues to plague both politics and citizens in our nation, with the expenditures for space exploration varying year to year, depending upon the political winds which blow at that time. When the United States was in the Cold War with Russia, they were also in a space race. The Russians were the first to put a satellite into space, but the US was the first to put a man in space. This was the start of...