[Kosh]

I'm sure that if it actually WAS an economically viable idea, someone with a degree in economics or finance or whatever would've figured that and would've done it already.

The real problem is NASA never bothered to invest in a relatively inexpensive launch platform, instead sticking with the previous model of only allowing an elite few access to space.

Kosh, please write your senator and tell him your concerns if you're so committed to it.

I don't live in the US anymore, and honestly I don't see what good it would do. Congresscritters not caring is very much part of the problem.

It'd be awesome to see these things happen during my lifetime, but given that the world's still in an economic recession, I don't think it's going to work out.

Self-fulfilling prophecy again.

[Polpolion]

The real problem is NASA never bothered to invest in a relatively inexpensive launch platform, instead sticking with the previous model of only allowing an elite few access to space.

Yup. Still, I'm unsure as to whether developing in one now would be economically possible. I'm thinking we'll be stuck in this rut until US rivals get their space program more advanced. It's not exactly a high priority for the US government right now.

I don't live in the US anymore, and honestly I don't see what good it would do. Congresscritters not caring is very much part of the problem.

Well that makes sense. You're not a US citizen, you're not a US voter, and you're not a US taxpayer. You can't elect the government whose priorities dictate which agencies get your tax money. Granted, this won't make a huge difference unless you're incredibly rich or actually several hundred thousand people.

Self-fulfilling prophecy again.

Indeed. Because the aerospace industry and the world economy both depend on me. No, I see your point, but regrettably there's nothing either of us can do to change that, unless one of us is a God of persuasion, which clearly neither of us are.

tl;dr I still can't see how it will work. Please explain.

[Kosh]

Still, I'm unsure as to whether developing in one now would be economically possible.

You're not a US citizen, you're not a US voter, and you're not a US taxpayer.

I am a US citizen. All I said is that I didn't live there anymore.

Granted, this won't make a huge difference unless you're incredibly rich

Exactly, the groups that have the most influence in Washington are the rich and the corporations.

Still, I'm unsure as to whether developing in one now would be economically possible.

How about we TRY first before declaring it impractical?

It's not exactly a high priority for the US government right now.

It hasn't been for a long time, but that doesn't mean it is right for it to be this way.

I'm thinking we'll be stuck in this rut until US rivals get their space program more advanced.

Sadly, I have to agree. If/when that happens we will go down in  history as the fools who allowed a lead that was measured in decades to be frittered away.

[Polpolion]

You're not a US citizen, you're not a US voter, and you're not a US taxpayer.

I am a US citizen. All I said is that I didn't live there anymore. You're right. You can't fix the problem this way.

Granted, this won't make a huge difference unless you're incredibly rich

Exactly, the groups that have the most influence in Washington are the rich and the corporations. You're right. You can't fix the problem this way.

Still, I'm unsure as to whether developing in one now would be economically possible.

How about we TRY first before declaring it impractical? You must have quoted the wrong thing. I said that "I'm unsure as to whether developing in one now would be economically possible," not that it's impractical.

It's not exactly a high priority for the US government right now.

It hasn't been for a long time, but that doesn't mean it is right for it to be this way. I never said it's the right way for it to be. But anyway, we can't change this without voting.
 

I'm thinking we'll be stuck in this rut until US rivals get their space program more advanced.

Sadly, I have to agree. If/when that happens we will go down in  history as the fools who allowed a lead that was measured in decades to be frittered away. Yup.

None of this explains your point to me. I don't even know what you're arguing anymore; it just looks like you're trying to refute my points.

[Kosh]

It seems I partly misunderstood what you said, my bad.