[dwaltrip]

> Is mapping the surface of the moon and detailing its composition more or less important than lifting 90 million people out of poverty?

This question assumes a lot. It's not an either / or. In fact, they may be mutually beneficial, where each effort boosts the other.

The efforts for both endeavors are also not completely interchangeable. We can't productively redirect all resources going into the space program towards poverty reduction. Perhaps some of it may be redirected productively, but most of it cannot.

I understand you may already get this, but I think it is worth repeating.

[Karunamon]

The efforts are not, but the resources are. Space launches aren't cheap after all. The entire Chandraraayan program cost something in the neighborhood of US$145 million. When you've got a poverty/homeless problem of that magnitude, I think it is reasonable to ask how and why funds are being prioritized the way they are.