CNBC Poll: Is NASA Worth The Cost During Tough Times?

NASA: The Next Generation - A CNBC Special Report

NASA is set to spend about half a billion dollars next year on the pension fund for its workers.

The pension fund is coming up short by about half. The president’s budget proposal for the 2012 fiscal year requests $547.9 million and asks NASA to provide the rest.

Some are most concerned about the 11,000 workers depending on NASA's pension program, while others maintain that the urgency for austerity trumps what could amount to a temporary hiatus in NASA's space age.

Given the recent vitriol surrounding debt ceiling discussions, is this a top priority for fiscal spending?

Tell us what you think.