skywalker01,<br /><br />Having been a fan of space flight since the first Gemini mission, I have grown rather cynical about the United States space program. Unfortunately, irregardless of who is heading NASA, it is Congress which sets the agencies budget. This has resulted in innumerable setbacks and cancelations of programs, as well as reduced capabilities and objectives.<br /><br />Personally, I don't see any way that we are going to get back to the Moon unless Congress bugrudges the future a bit more money. Trying to work within the current budget levels will stretch things out to the point that infrastructure becomes obsolete before the program is finished with it, (ala the shuttle!) We have been waiting for over two years to see a plan for the Crew Expedition Vehicle, and we still don't know what is going to launch it.<br /><br />Until some new hardware is being delivered to the Cape, I am going to remain pessimistic about the space program, because I have been let down very badly several times before. I am also going to keep writing letters to my Congress people, as well as talking about space whenever I get the chance, and even sometimes when I don't. To me, this IS the future, for our economy, our job market, our environment. The shortsighted fools running this country seem to think that we can go on being great forever, without having to reinvest some of the wealth that past investments have created.<br /><br />Ah, excuse me, I do tend to rant on occaison!<br /><br />I am happy, but not yet excited. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> The secret to peace of mind is a short attention span. </div>