[RLK]

We need basic research in chemistry, physics, and engineering before we can go further. We're not even graduating significant numbers of people in that area.

[Bobby777]

it was about 15 years ago or so that I read that only about 300 Ph.D. candidates in mathematics were Americans ... as you say, quantum leaps are required for even interplanetary travel to be feasible ... and we'll never be able to land on Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and nor even probably Venus, etc.

Mercury, maybe, if we go at night ... (to revive an old joke) ...

[SpaceBar]

And history too. Everyone seems to think that Columbus discovered America. No, he claimed everything he saw, inhabited or not in the name of the Spanish Crown. The only thing they did different than the Olmecs, or the Scandanavians, or asiatic tribes who hooved it across the Bearing land bridge, was to bring guns. Discovered... what rubbish.

[Aracelis]

We need basic research in chemistry, physics, and engineering before we can go further. We're not even graduating significant numbers of people in that area.

The Chinese are...and they are coming here for jobs, and returning to China with our technology.

One tiny little problem with your emphasis - just where do you propose to employ American individuals who have invested 10-15 years just to get their PhDs? Hmmm? Private sector positions? Not many of those.

We need the Space Program desperately to help our economy. The spinoffs alone will more than offset the expense, AND keep us a principal power in the world.