[lupusreal]

In a sense, all the ostensible science missions are really about national prestige and are therefore national security missions in a round-about way. I saw a recent presentation given by Michael Griffin in which he makes this point; the HST wouldn't really be worth all the trouble if not for the "America flexing on the world" angle.

https://youtu.be/4L8MY056Vz8

[philwelch]

Sure, but who’s actually launching those science missions these days? It’s all commercial providers. Recycling 1970’s technology into SLS and making it even less reusable isn’t a flex on the world, it’s pork barrel politics.

[lupusreal]

I share your thoughts towards the lameness of SLS, but consider: would it even be happening if not for the threat of China going to the Moon? It seems to me that the whole point is to spoil China's fun.