[Arkie2]

I know it is politically impossible to abandon manned spaceflight but the most productive use of our resources would be many robot probes instead of the dead weight of the ISS. There are several new technologies that need to be explored. The ion engine has proven itself in space and coupled to a nuclear power source could explore the outer solar system. There are even several innovative ideas waiting in the wings such as solar sails and the space elevator which would cut the cost of taking loads from the earth to orbit. I would love to see NASA return to an engineering agency instead of what it has become which is a means to conduct politcs in space. That's why we have the bloated and useless ISS, so Russia and some European countries can "participate" in joint ventures in space with us. Scrap manned flight for now and get on with exploration.

[RightWhale]

the most productive use of our resources would be many robot probes instead of the dead weight of the ISS.

The only question about the Sagan approach is that if we don't intend to send men into space and to build settlements and colonies and in fact don't intend to develop the resources of outer space, why bother with robots?

Pure science? Knowledge? A noble endeavor, but hardly worth a dime of public money.

[Mamzelle]

re: I would love to see NASA return to an engineering agency instead of what it has become which is a means to conduct politcs in space. )))

And to provide rides, vicarious and otherwise, to the aviation-addled.