General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: One small step for the 1%, nothing for mankind. n/t [View all]MineralMan
(146,286 posts)space programs closely since Sputnik was launched and who is still following them closely. I have an opinion about such activities, and that opinion is based on reality, not fantasy.
The Hubble telescope and other scientific research spacecraft are where things that are interesting are happening. Sub-orbital space tourism is not where such things are happening. Even the International Space Station isn't that interesting, really. Aside from proving that people can live in a metal structure in orbit for longish periods of time, it has not contributed much else to our knowledge.
It is the unmanned exploration vehicles that are giving us answers that have value looking forward. They are helping us understand the universe, both within our own solar system and far beyond. That's the stuff that interests me these days. Manned missions do not.