[P-40]

As I see it, it's considerable risk at enormous expense for zero gain.

They are learning. They are taking the first step. They are opening doors for the rest of us.

[Alter Kaker]

They are learning. They are taking the first step. They are opening doors for the rest of us.

Call me a cynic, but when I see people wax poetical, I tend to suspect it's because they want for cold, hard facts.

I see very few tangible benefits from the space shuttle and the ISS. You say "they are opening doors." Doors to what? Low earth orbit? It's a very expensive trick, a dangerous one at that, and one that yields zero additional scientific knowledge. I'm hardly anti-space, but manned space flight makes no sense from any perspective.