The fact we can see ISS above us always catches those who pause, stop their actictivities (star gazing) and look at the station knowing there's someone up there...It's our "religious" experience...

And it needs political support like all the space programs so far.
Which means...supporting Pork! Without it (and the support from many states) would the space program be better off? Really?

If going back to the Moon or going to Mars cannot be about flag and footprints....then what can justify them if the only support is political?
I'm not against flag and footprints because I don't see a better popular justification.

If the support is political, then space is still romantic and I'm pretty sure romantism is what attracts young people to it.