Space Travel: Is it worth it?

This article talks about the releasing of a baby Sputnik in outer space. My question to you is do you really think it is worth spending all of this money on the space program? Why do we try and do something that takes so much money when most people in this world would never want to try and live in outer space. I would just like to know if you think that the government is wasting money or if it really is going to benefit our country and world. (excluding the use of satellites)

-Shawn