The Future of Space Exploration

The excitement surrounding space exploration seems to have waned in the decades since the mid-twentieth century's thrilling "race to space." Is there still purpose in exploring other planets? If so, who should be tasked with this endeavor and what complications might arise from it? The viewpoints in this resource address important issues surrounding this topic, such as the merits of privatizing space exploration, seeking extraterrestrial life-forms, the economics and politics of space exploration, and the possibility of militarizing space.