Space shuttle was big mistake
 

still in a blind alley
 

I'm still waiting for them to acknowledge that humans in space are a waste of time (and of BIG money), at least with any foreseeable (not just available) technology.
Romantic - yes, efficient - not since the 1st microprocessor and mass produced high quality CCDs.
It wasn't necessarily that clear 30 year ago.
Just me thoughts.

No, there is a basic human instinct for pushing the envelope and exploration. Spearhead technologies pull everything along behind, superb achievements, awe-inspiring. Set your sights high, in my opinion.

It's the old saying about knowing the cost of everything but the value of nothing.

not pushing envelope of anything anymore
 

I would gladly agree to the cost, if there was any value.

The high tech it isn't.
Jeffrey F. Bell explores it up nicely in this editorial:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/oped-04y.html

As far as pushing our imagination of what can be done.. well, it's been done. The next mind shattering leap will not come from walking around on Mars. At least not in my imagination.

Mistakes, "failures", whatever you like to call them are all part of the road to success!

People told the Wright brothers they were mad to even try to make a heavier than air machine - where would we be if they had listened to the "dream stealers"?

Henry Ford said that failure was just an opportunity to begin again more intelligently!

Even the RAF motto "Per Ardua Ad Astra" comments that we may encounter difficulties on the way to the stars.

Kennedy said that we choose to go to the moon not because it is easy but because it is difficult.