I am depressed more than excited because this is the end of the shuttle program with no replacement for further manned expeditions. It is nice that robots can explore other planets and celestial bodies but that is no substitute for the excitement and sense of accomplishments created by manned programs.
I can’t believe that we don’t have colonies on the moon and on Mars. We have wasted our capital and the dreams of our children on useless wars instead of exploration and science. Now with the Republican wins, public and higher education for the masses will become poorer and educational standards will diminish to the point that further science and exploration will become the exclusive property of the wealthy and those educated outside of this country.
We lost technology, space, and progress so that the richest of us can bask in their wealth and power. I predict that Cuba will eventually have a better space program than the future United States.