[Carry_Okie]

Space is the high ground. We need access on a ho-hum basis. Fly into space, return the same day. Fly into space again. When this happens, the United States will become the Federation. We will inhabit space. We will make sure that a representative Republic rules the high frontier. Commercially, privately, governmentally, militarily, this should be the only acceptable outcome to citizens of the United States.

Mechanically or politically, I just don't think you can get there from here using a socialist system.

[DoughtyOne]

China is poised to put their first manned mission into space later this year. Right off hand I don't know if that includes a shuttle class vehicle or not. Even if it doesn't, as fast as we give away state secrets, I think we should look at this as a wake-up call.