"NASA is hopeless."
I disagree completly.
NASA is not without blame and responsiblity. But NASA has been victim to the whims of politics and terrible budget hits. Changing goals, Lack of long term goals, leadership.
Usage as a political tool by Clinton. (too much reliance on the Russians and political stunts like flying Glenn)
Bush has set the course. Long term goals. Everyone is on the same page. Griffen is a true believer in the dream.
Hopeless?
Cassini at Saturn, Twin Mars Rovers, Hubble.
Yes the reflight of Shuttle as dated as she is, she still has a job to complete, the station will be completed. No other country has these abilities.
The new vehicles are in the works. Taking the best of Apollo and shuttle.
Were headed back tot he moon to stay, and beyond.
The people that will set foot on the surface of Mars are alive today. Maybe even in high school.
In Shanghai. ;)
Regurgitating the "best of Apollo and the Shuttle" is another back to the future move. Space flight is relatively cheap, after that first 100 miles. Building throw away launchers, no matter how cheap, will never compete with a vehicle that's merely refueled like your 747 and flown again.
Yes, such a development would cost an enormous amount of money. But the technology is within sight, and NASA is not taking that route.
That merely locks them into being the sole provider for manned space flight, which I'm sure is their motivation. They really don't care about making humanity a space fairing species. They just want to keep the government money gravy train flowing. They've already given contracts to Burt Rutan for research work, which I'm sure are merely the first step to make sure he doesn't actually build a real reusable spacecraft, lest he lose valuable contracts.
I'm very disappointed.