https://medium.com/@rickbrownell/space-exploration-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-4690f9baa9c4 > There has been a lot of debate over the years about the value of America’s space program. Critics say we spend too much money on rockets and moon shots and Mars missions. Really? Well, consider these numbers. > The federal budget for the U.S. government for 2017 was $3.98 trillion, with about half that amount going to Social Security, Medicare, health, and unemployment programs. NASA received approximately $19 billion. Billion, with a “B” as in itty-Bitty amount. U.S. citizens spent almost four times more on state lottery tickets. (And that ain’t all going toward education, so let me stop that counterpoint right there.)