NASA was set on this course long ago. The decision to surrender our space capability came long ago. Shameful in my opinion. As I watch the movie The Right Stuff; I am reminded there was time when this could do anything; and had the will to do it.
Sometimes when I feel like reminiscing, I remember how great it was that we actually put men on the moon with the advanced technology of the slide rule. And then brought them home again. Magnificent!