> As a nation, we've lost interest because we're
> comfortable and busy.
>
> We need space as a modern day Wild West, a
> territory to grapple with and struggle against,
> rather than rule over or reside comfortably
> within. Sometimes we'll lose. More than
> likely, we'll lose often and heavily,
> especially early on. A serious, daring space
> program could capture the world's attention
> more fixidly than the inanest of Reality Based
> TV shows, because this would be real adventure:
> high stakes, chance, skill, ingenuity,
> setbacks, breakthroughs, disappointments,
> discoveries, hardship, hope, and an impact on
> everyone, sooner or later.
>
> An effort like this would require three
> things. First, it would need the public
> sector, at least initially.
>
> Second, it requires the private sector through
> and through.
>
> Private groups are simply more likely to
> produce the innovations necessary to allow
> human space travel at a reasonable cost. That,
> of course, is the last key. The program can't
> be done with unmanned spacecraft.
>
> The universe is vast beyond imagining, and all
> a mystery. We should need no more reason than
> that to explore it. Even if all we find is
> limitless exotic scenery, the attempt will be a
> success. The only downside are those marauding
> hordes of alien ghosts.

What we need is another USSR. In the late sixties we were worried about the Russians. We weren't just trying to get to the moon; we were trying to get to the moon before Those Godless Commies did. If they got to it first, it would have very, very serious repercussions on the entire world. Right now, we don't have anyone to compete with. We don't even worry about the Communists anymore. It's not like Cuba's getting to Mars before we are. So yeah, we need another fierce enemy to beat to Mars or else no one's going to care.

-Eric "I'd buy stock in the company that funded the project to go to Mars" Sleator
Thu 19 Jul A.D. 2001