> it's that we've let our space program wither away to nothing
Maintaining a space program is a very expensive proposition, and given the enormous amont of debt the government possesses, I'd say it was a wise decision to shut the whole thing down.
Unfortunately, the space program is a trivial amount compared to what's actually consuming the budget: defense and welfare.
Since the risk of this thread devolving into a federal budget debate expands exponentially with every post, I propose leaving the subject for another time and place.
Non having a working space program will likely be an even more expensive proposition. Theres nothing wrong, in my opinion, with governments being involved in high speculative, but highly valuable infrastructure development.
Maintaining a space program is a very expensive proposition, and given the enormous amont of debt the government possesses, I'd say it was a wise decision to shut the whole thing down.