Is This the Right Time to Be Cutting Space Exploration Programs?

America has always been considered a leader in space exploration, but many say recent budget cuts to the program could change that.

Nobody can dispute the United States' achievements in space over the last half century. The country was reminded of that on Saturday with the the commander of the Apollo 11 Mission and the first man to walk on the moon. However, with the national debt as at Aug. 25, 2012, at $15,976,519,029,144 – ($52,585 for each man, woman and child in the U.S. according to a national debt clock) it is obvious that something has to give.

In a recent article on Phys.org, Armstrong was quoted as being critical of plans to abandon a project to return U.S. astronauts to the moon. He appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and is reported to have been critical of President Barack Obama and plans to cut the program, saying the president was being "poorly advised."

"If the leadership we have acquired through our investment is allowed simply to fade away, other nations will surely step in where we have faltered. I do not believe that this would be in our best interests,” he is quoted as saying.

A recent CNN.com story asks the question, "Will China overtake America in Space?"

Do you think cuts to the space program are necessary in the light of the current economy? Or is it more important for the U.S. to maintain its leadership role in space exploration?