Is it a waste of money to send people to space?

Ofcourse not.. We need to know what's happening around the planet we live in. And investing money on gaining information is never a waste. But yes there should be defined limit in those investments as there are many issues inside 'EARTH' which need to be solved first =)

I believe it is ridiculous. I mean the world is too vast to not invest millions in it. Plus it gives your investment more meaning given the many lives you can change with the same amount you want to take a trip with to space. Our home is here and this was created for us. The responsibility of taking care of it relies on us and flying out to space is like escaping from that responsibility. IMHO.

It does seem so with so many problems that need attention right here on Earth.

Science may well give us good things. But why bother spending all this money exploring space and finding out there was water on Mars at some point in the last few thousand years (we have water in Earth) when these same great minds could be applied to finding better ways to power humanity's insatiable desire for energy, to feeding the starving millions around the globe, and generally making life down here better before looking up into the heavens. It seems the authoritative powers have their heads way, way up in the clouds.
The needs of humanity should always come first. While there are people on Earth who need help, they should be helped, rather than seeing money spent on sending robots onto other planets. Humanity is the number one priority; keeping the human race alive is a necessity. Alternatively, space exploration is a desire. If we put our desires before our needs, then everyone loses out on a better standard of living. Sure, it's great that NASA can elevate technology to the next level time and time again, so why not make technology that directly benefits us?

Not really, if the problem of poor are addressed first. Technological advances are also important if they are fo the benefit of the people.

Its a business overall ... !

Absolutely not... If you have money then go for it? What will you do after saving your money when it is not going to help you in anyway?

No it is showing too much positive aspects.....

Not at all

just search all the goodie things space research has brought to the common consumer market!

Not at all, if you have the money...

Yes in my opinion it is a waste of money!!