NASA suspends relations with Russia space agency

[freshwest]

16. Future space programs have been handed over to corporations under the guise of cutting deficits.

It isn't the nation's space agency, despite jobs at NASA and many more elsewhere. I doubt any benefits will accrue to the general public. We're out of the loop and have been for some time, except for some funding.

The publicity on exploration is to lobby the public to open their wallets for an enterprise that is increasingly commercial. The profits of whatever they get will be in the hands of an elite that most people don't even know exists, but is shaping all our futures:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_private_spaceflight_companies

I accept it's going to be this way, but won't cheerlead it anymore. I grew up near NASA and knew people and had relatives involved in the space program for years. But can no longer recognize its purpose as being for all mankind.

Those who love it, carry on with my amity. I still love science and discovery, but few will benefit from these venture capitalists.

So as far as this event precursing a new Dark Age, some will be left in the dark and others will rejoice from the light of technology and knowledge. Too bad it won't be all of humanity, and looking at the players at the link with its links, these corporations don't have a humanitarian streak.

JMHO. And as I said. those who get excited at the wonder of space are more like I used to be. While I still feel uplifted from some of what they do, I've no illusions.