Again,
the nations that lead on the frontier, dictate the course of human history.
Astronaut Story Musgrave.....
“We have been a frontier culture. We were born out of exploration, we were born out of adventure. We were born out of the plains and the mountains. We’ve been a very physical kind of culture. And so, if you look at adventure, if you look at exploration, if you look at immersion in nature, a physical culture, and all those things, you can see directly how space flight relates to the way America has been born and how it evolved.”
These are all fine sentiments, but I have yet to hear anything that makes me think there is a good reason to do so now. Even the early explorers had financial backers who expected some very specific things as a result of their effort. Even if it was a risk, there was a clear goal in mind.
What budget do you seek for this nebulous warm fuzzy feeling about being a race of explorers? Would one trillion dollars over twenty years make us trailblazers again?
Most people in our society have never been explorers, and in fact most of those going west to settle it, were malcontents and unsuccessful in their lives, and they sought new opportunities. Where are the opportunities for a guy like me on the moon?
Unless you work for NASA, I can see none.
However, if you can give me an idea to pursue, that has some merit, then I might support it.
Again, if you removed the entries really going to the black budget for new weapons technology, what would it really cost?