perfidy

Steve, I totally agree with you about space exploration. As I get older I tend to realize that there is a finite amount of government money out there, and an infinite number of draws on those funds. If the Government can't or won't pay for space exploration, private citizens and corporations should.

Bully for China. I applaud their enterprise and their effort. But I puzzle at the US's space policy. We went to the Moon years ago, which is like getting to second base with the solar system-- pretty awesome, but only the tip (as it were) of the iceberg. What puzzles me is that, after getting to second, we seemingy decided to settle for boobies instead of trying for home. Guh??!?

Unweildy metaphors aside, what gives? Space exploration drives technology and leads to awesome spinoffs like Tang, Velcro, and freeze-dried ice cream! It inspires scientific and engineering feats of genius! It drives young kiddies to enter the sciences! And it keeps us hungry and eager. Yay China! Where's ours?

Exploration of the universe must go forward at all costs, but financed, like the spice trade, by rich people hoping for fun, profit, and the opportunity to have planets named after them. The government apparently has better things to do, such as busting glass-pipe makers and people who download Dixie Chicks tracks. Forget about them. Let's build awesome, new, devices and fly them high, and let's find rich nerds to pay for it all.