[RightWhale]

President Bush's science adviser, John Marburger, dismisses as "ridiculous" the notion that America could lose its scientific prestige

Didn't know this Pres has a science advisor. What was the context of his remark?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I don't know the context of his remarks but I do know he is very pro space and Moon, Mars and Beyond.

Washington Times writer, Charles Rousseaux, said it was Marburger who got him to realize the importance of a renewed space program and from that understanding he wrote this: Space Vision Misunderestimated

And here is Marburger's House testimony: A New Paradigm for Space Exploration

[RadioAstronomer]

From my view (I have worked both unmanned at JPL and manned "Space Station"), the space program derailed itself in late 60s and then again in the early 70s. Many of my current colleagues agree.

IMHO, there were four cancellations that led us down the path we are currently on.

First was the cancellation of the X-15 and the subsequent follow-on. I personally believe that if we had pursued that to its ultimate end, we would have SSTO today.

Second was the cancellation of the NERVA. They were finally working the kinks out of it and poof, gone like the rest. Now we are renewing our interest in nuclear propulsion, however, 30 years have slipped by.

Third was the cancellation of the Saturn launch vehicle. Now we rely on Russian engines for one our heaviest lift vehicles. Even the Titan program is dead.

And finally the cancellation of the SP-100 space based nuclear power system and subsequent follow-on.