Investments in space are an investment in the future of mankind. In a sense, a big chunk of the funds in either space exploration or international aid are effe

Investments in space are an investment in the future of mankind. In a sense, a big chunk of the funds in either space exploration or international aid are effectively lit on fire - except in one case, it's in literal burning rocket fuel, and in the other wanton corruption... It's not like the USA or USSR didn't have their share of problems or pockets of crushing poverty when they were engaging in the space race, either.