The Space Race

President Bush is expected to make a major announcement about the future of the United State's space program today. The rumors about a return to the Moon and a manned Mars mission have been swirling around for weeks now. Speaking as someone who's followed the US space program for my whole life, I'm just not that excited.

The entire US space program has become some kind of obscure sporting event for most people. We only pay attention when something bad happens or when NASA releases photos from its latest probe. I find the entire endeavor fascinating on a scientific and technical level, but it no longer does anything for the heartstrings. This just all seems like bad timing and misdirected funds at the moment.

Don't give me all the bulljive about the need for humans to explore and all that clap trap. Yes, I do realize that Queen Isabella helped fund Columbus' discovery of the new world despite the fact that Spain had its own internal problems. Yes, I realize that President Jefferson had a lot of things he could have spent money on, but he gave Lewis and Clark the resources they needed for their expedition.

But if you want to improve the human condition and still explore, then why not spend $1 billion on fuel cell research or cancer research. Why not do something to fix a rickety power grid or to fill in all the holes in airport security. The new frontier no longer has to be outer space.