The decision to scrap the U.S. space shuttle program was a mistake, one that may have set exploration of the great beyond back by years. NASA is just now beginning to develop a new system to send American astronauts into space and bring them back -without relying on Russia’s goodwill.

We were reminded quite recently of how important – possibly critical – exploring space is to humankind.

Scientists revealed that the presence of flowing water has been detected on Mars. The implications of that are enormous, probably not understood fully.

On a regular basis, important new revelations about our solar system and the universe beyond are made public. Individually, they beckon to us to continue reaching out into space for knowledge that may be of incalculable benefit.

Taken together, even what we have learned during the past year amounts to an imperative that we not back away from going where no human has gone before.

President Barack Obama is unlikely to rethink his ideas on federal spending and priorities for government activities. Where possible, Congress should undertake that re-evaluation.

And once a new president takes office in January 2017, a new national dialogue should be held on the subject of space exploration.

Shoving it into the background was a mistake.