Space is a multidimensional enterprise that taps the frontiers of many disciplines: biology, chemistry, physics, astrophysics, geology, atmospherics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering. These classic subjects are the foundation of the STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math—and they are all represented in the NASA portfolio. Space exploration plant seeds of economic growth (whether deemed practical or not), and innovation follows--the worlds intellectual capital will want to come to the USA to create/innovate.
NASA’s annual budget is half a penny on your tax dollar. For twice that—a penny on a dollar—we can transform the country from a nation dispirited, weary of economic struggle to its former glory in the late 20th century.