I would like to add to this most interesting discussion.
One, a very interesting book to read is "Skunk Works" by Ben Rich. It covers the U2, SR71 (My personal favorite airplane) and the F117A. When you consider that they used slide rules to design the U2 and SR-71, they become even more awe inspiring. And the history of computing power can be seen between the F117A and B2 (Flat plate vice curved surface stealth). This book also discusses some changes in the aerospace industry over the years. It gives the reader a front seat perspective on how things were done.
Two, having seeing the inside of one of the Apollo capsules, one can really see how it was primitive yet complex for the time. NASA of then was a premier organization. Not sure about them today. Back in the 70's, my group was in close contact with NASA and the Shuttle design. At that time, they had planned three versions. The final version being able to take off and land like an airplane. Unfortunately, we only have seen the first version. By now, we should have seen the third iteration.
Three, when you are in space, you cannot just pull over to fix whatever might be wrong. Things must be fail safe. NASA tends to use proven technology when possible vice untried/unproven technology. Because it must work.
Fourth, with the end of the Cold War, the so called Space Race has languished. Back then, we could say to beat the "Reds", "Commies", "Russians", etc. Now why do we do it? Harder to get a perspective.
Fifth, why should we explore and settle in outer space? First and foremost new technologies spin from space exploration (and military research). Many of the common place items that we use today were spun from the military industrial complex (which includes NASA) such as the microwave, GPS, Sonar, Radar, etc. So many of these inventions are common place that we never think of them. Another good reason that for space exploration is to expand the human race seeding should something happen to the Earth in the future. Some would boil down the Apollo program to this. "Why did we send men to the moon?" "To see if we could do it."
Sixth, approach is very important. Many years ago when NASA was designing things for space they decided that they needed a pen to be able to write in zero G. I forget how much money was spent on this research, but adjusted for inflation, I am sure that it was in the millions. Many pens use the technology today. So there was commercial benefit. The Russians on the other hand used a pencil. Simple and cheap. And it worked. My point being is that as technology spins out of control (as in hard to keep up) we must make good decisions so as to maximize the use of dwindling funding for the programs so as to not waste funds on things we do not need.
Well, I've probably said way too much. I remember the thrill of the Apollo missions and when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. I wish we could once again see and feel the thrill of space travel.
Sushi
