[jnarcus]

Part of the difficulty in doing research, particularly in pure physics, is that you cannot force quantum leaps in understanding or technology...I won't argue whether this bit of science should have been cancelled because there are pros and cons...I would only point out that THEORIES aren't science until tested in repeatable fashion. I would rather they took the time to rewire this bit of esoterica than let it launch and fail...Cheap and dirty, as recent Mars missions have proven, is a true waste of money

[cogitator]

I understand your argument -- and I agree that it should be fixed to work. I just can't believe it's taken so long and cost so much to get this thing up and running.

I'd rather that $500 million be spent on physics that might have a spinoff value, like particle physics leading to nuclear fusion.

Having said that, it's possible that the technology of the super-gyros on GP-B has spinoff value; I just don't know what/where that value would be utilized.