Tom wrote: "However, tens of thousands of people are currently employed by the space program as it is. Billions of dollars are distributed to hundreds of companies across the nation in the process"

Yeah, well, it *is* rocket science ;-)

Do you argue that this [the space program] is all just social welfare to scientists? Last I saw, NASA jobs paid Shitte and still bright people wanted on the ship.

I am not convinced of the whole 'prize' philosophy. While I am absolutely sure that there is waste and mismanagement, I am equally sure that no private industry firm can afford the huge outlay to develop a reliable and profitable manned vehicle. 100mill just ain't what it used to be... I have seen start-up cap packages for small firms exceed that number, and I assure you they were not after a RLV.

In any case, I would love to debate his topic.

Davin L.