[jacobr1]

but the problem was that we reversed the order. We should have gone to moon in the late 80s rather than build the shuttle, after having built a ton robotic probes and having much better automation. Imagine where we would be if we'd had a sustained 10-50 Billion /year increase in AI and robotics over the past 50 years. But because we pushed manned systems first, we both became disillusioned at the cost/benefit ratio and made that ratio worse by becoming very concerned about human life risk. And thus we lost momentum - budgetary, career-wise in engineering, public sentiment, political support ... On the other hand - I am a big supporter of the Goldin era "Faster, Better, Cheaper" approach. We got more done even with a 50% failure rate, and at half the cost - just by flat out doing more.