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Comets are thought to perhaps contain early elements of our universe. By blasting a debris shower with Deep Impact they can analyze the makeup of the comet with spectroanalysis and determine (at least on the outer layer) the elements and compounds making up the comet. Pure science. ;-)

The advancement of science is admirable goal, but at what cost? I guess, I am looking for benefits that are tangible. I remember the visions of the future we grew up with; interplanetary travel, living in space, and colonization of the moon and mars. It has been 45 years since the advent of the Space age and none of our dreams have come true.

Christian Science Monitor says:
"Ever since Sputnik, humans have lobbed more than 20,000 metric tons of hardware into orbit. In addition, Dr. Ailor notes that the number of operating satellites is expected to growth from 700 today to as many as 3,000 in 2020."

The space program needs direction and not merely a shuttle system for more space junk. We certainly can't expect the rest of the world to show vision. China wants to military power in space, Russia wants to commerical power for space, and Europeans don't seem to have any vision for space, and Indians seem to be just preparing for the next conflict with its neighbors China or Pakistan.