Any advertiser would surely attest that one must spend money in order to make money. The high profile exploration of space is no exception. A joint government investment of $100m is small change in the grand scale of creating history to facilitate the involvement of astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg in the International Space Station (“$100m a small price to send Katherine into space”, DT,14/10). In a brilliant litany extolling the virtues of aiming high and achieving success in the space race, the editor’s pitch on Tuesday was well meaning, patriotic and deserving of serious engagement by those passionate about mankind and the role of women in that progress (“Space is our next frontier”, DT, 13/10). The material benefits from space research have undoubtedly improved our lives by brilliant endeavours over time. GPS navigation, ear thermometers, camera phone sensors, scratch-resistant lenses and water purification systems evolved from our focus on space and its untapped secrets. Investing in projects with unifying purpose and capable of bolstering our knowledge must be preferred to the usual Labor Party spending that buys votes and is shamelessly divisive. (“How you paid for them to spread hatred”,DT, 14/10). Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 15October2026
