Space exploration costs less than 1% of the GNP. Your vision, surprising on a technical forum, allows for no further innovations that might boost an economy, address fossil fuel alternatives, whatever.

I too agree that it will never happen as described, but for different reasons. Likely Democrat party nominee Barry Obama is extremely unlikely to continue his predicessor's lunar initiative. His campaign themes would result in a huge increase in federal spending and strangely enough, space exploration is (wrongly) perceived by the voting public as a huge expense and would be cut to fund the many social programs.

Let me add that I also do not favor the present approach which I think is Apollo II, a feel good reminiscence for aging 60s flower folk.

This site has perspectives that I agree with. First a 24 year old...

Those who support the current lunar program often forget the opportunity costs. There are better ways to spend the same money on developing space. I’m 24 - with the current Constellation program plan, I’ll be in my mid 30s by the time we get back to the moon. If we operate the system for a decade or two after that, as is likely, all I can expect in my career is to see 4 people land on the moon twice a year. That is not exciting - nor is it worth the money. Maybe by the time I retire we’ll be looking at another “next generation system”.

What’s the point of any of this for someone my age?

And then Johnathon Goff...

If our current approach to space development was actually putting in place the technology and infrastructure needed to make our civilization a spacefaring one, I’d be a lot more willing to support it. Wise investments in the future are a good thing, but NASA’s current approach is not a wise investment in the future. It’s aging hipsters trying to relive the glory days of their youth at my generation’s expense.

While Constellation might possibly put some people on the moon, it won’t actually put us any closer to routine, affordable, and sustainable exploration and development. I have no problem with a long hard road, just so long as its the right one