I was working at JPL flying interplanetaries. Then went on to JSC on the ISS.
Once the people were not behind exploration the funding died. Every President since Carter has issued proclimations about going back to the Moon and on to Mars. I didn't buy it then, and I don't buy it now.
I don't buy it either.
Did we all just move around in the same circles? I worked at JPL on the Voyager project at the time of flyby......