The Chinese invented technologies involving mechanics, hydraulics, and mathematics applied to horology, metallurgy, astronomy, agriculture, engineering, music theory, craftsmanship, nautics, and warfare. By the Warring States Period (403–221 BC), they had advanced metallurgic technology, including the blast furnace and cupola furnace, while the finery forge and puddling process were known by the Han Dynasty (202 BC–AD 220). A sophisticated economic system in China gave birth to inventions such as paper money during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). The invention of gunpowder by the 10th century led to an array of inventions such as the fire lance, land mine, naval mine, hand cannon, exploding cannonballs, multistage rocket, and rocket bombs with aerodynamic wings and explosive payloads.

lets China do the heavy lifting for now..
Why China? What's wrong with American private companies? They are already doing that -- Boeing, Orbital Sciences, etc.

Aleksey, they are doing is based on government grants, right?
I don't think there is "profit" to be had... is there?
I honestly don't know..

Leadership in any new field will pay eventually, even through sheer projection of being first throughout the world. We can stop sending money abroad to backstabbers in form of Foreign Aid. Space Exploration in not a waste.

Svetlana, i am not saying they don't accomplish anything, i am just saying they are not carrying their own weight.
NASA budget is about 18billion/year
to compare Apple has about 1.3bil/year r&d costs...
Toyota about 5bln
Merck 2.5billion
GE 2.2billion..
Boeing 1.7
( these are the numbers as i remember, maybe off a bit )

I understand they are not "profitable" in the traditional way(ch) .. but do you think it can be done any other way?? no private entity will invest in this kind of research and development on their own, plus it's a national security issue..no?

i don't expect them to be fully profitable..
but 18bln/year can pay for a lot of food stamps, and god knows i need some :)

well, it's just another confirmation government doesn't run things the most efficient way.. but certain things it just HAS to do.. that's why "limited government" is the best approach..

Space exploration is exactly where the government involvement is needed. It's one area where I don't feel sorry for my tax dollars ( in addition to defense and border security).

OMG! Look up this chart- it lists the salaries and pensions for some of the bureaucrats in the Chicago public education department. No wonder, the states go bust(md)
( I wonder, what is it in California, perhaps even more outrageous?).
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