Russia plans missions to Mars and the Moon

[jammi]

Exactly. I think during world-wide economic crisis pace of space exploration shall decrease, taxpayers will want save money for current needs.

Thing is, space travel has been on the decline for decades. The economic situation has little to do with the will to take to the stars. The primary reason for the big boom in interest last time was an ideological war between the US and Russia.

Politicians don't like space flight because it costs billions, regardless of the currency, and rarely gives physical pay-outs within a four year time period. Meaning, space flight isn't going to get them re-elected. It's sad, but it's not something the average person identifies strongly with.

"Neat, Candidate X is boosting funding to [local space agency]. He sure has my vote!" May be true for a small niche, but not the majority. Our best hope for viable space travel is private enterprise (ventures with the will and vast pools of capital to develop the technology, such as Virgin Galactic, for example) and countries which... don't have the pressure of regular fair elections, shall we say.

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