NASA's 'space economy' reaps windfall for humanity: chief - Yahoo! News UK

AFP - Monday, September 17

WASHINGTON (AFP) - NASA is at the thriving heart of a 180-billion-dollar "space economy" that benefits life on Earth, the head of the much-maligned US agency said Monday ahead of its 50th birthday.
Launching a lecture series to mark next year's anniversary, NASA administrator Michael Griffin said the space agency was "a critical driver of innovation" which has enduring relevance on terra firma.

Just goes to prove that a tiny investment from a big government budget can make a real difference.
Perhaps I might get to the Moon one day too! *wistfully*