Space exploration conversation questions

Background
Much money and effort have been put into space exploration but the subject still remains contentious.

General

 * There is a widespread urban myth that the famous Apollo moon landing shots were filmed in Hollywood by Stanley Kubrick. Why do you think this myth is so popular?
 * What is your opinion of science fiction series and films like Star Trek and Star Wars?
 * Do you own a telescope? If so what do you look at in the sky?
 * Nowadays space tourism is just starting up. How would you feel if you won a trip to the international space station?

Newsworthiness

 * When the first rockets were sent up into space, or the first manned flights started, it was big news. Nowadays, unless associated with a tragedy, space-related news seems to be old hat. Why do you think that is?
 * Recently, much research has been carried out on the planet Mars. Salt and past evidence of water has been found. What do you think is the significance of these discoveries?

The present

 * What do you think about the value of space exploration?
 * Which sectors benefit more from the research carried out with the taxpayers' money in the name of space exploration? The arms industry? Medicine? Technology in general? Can you think of any other?
 * Can you think of any inventions or benefits which have resulted from space exploration?
 * In what ways would the world be different if there were no satellites in orbit around the earth?
 * Space probes have now been sent to explore the outer reaches of our solar system. What use do you think we will be able to make of the data they send back?

The future

 * If signs of ancient life were to be found on Mars, how would that change our understanding of the cosmos?
 * It seems that the dinosaurs were probably wiped out by a large meteorite. If another large meteor were found to be on collision course with earth which action should or could we take?
 * What do you think of the idea that we could escape into space if (or when) the earth becomes uninhabitable for whatever reason?