But it has prospered better than we had feared.

In my opinion, the most valuable aspects of the program, space telescopes, earth resources satellites and the robotic exploration of the solar system, has proceeded even while other important missions were abandoned or cut back. And other nations have put resources into those efforts and formed alliances to pursue them collectively. My own personal "fingers crossed" wish is that we will eventually turn up some discovery that will provoke and justify a full-blown manned exploration and colonization program.

We can't guarantee that will happen, but at least, its still possible. I hope it happens in my lifetime.