Robert McCall was the dean of American space artists and his painting of a proposed moon base (for the 1960s Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey) still haunts my dreams.
It might have come true but for the wasted billions spent on the stupid Democrat (JFK & LBJ) war in Viet Nam. Now with Uncle Barry focused on enlarging the welfare state, it’s unlikely. Unless private companies find a compelling way to make money at it, perhaps through minerals mining.
Fortunately, there’s still time for it to happen, of course, even if it’s long after I’m gone and it turns out to be made-in-China.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
I would like to point out for the record, that RM Nixon was elected in 1968 largely on his “secret plan to end the war” in Vietnam, when he actually had no plan at all. I believed him, stupidly, and have believed no politician since.
The cynicism of his lie to get elected left me and several other dumbasses stuck in Nam for several more years. Those of us who were not killed while he implemented his nonexistent plan. So it wasn’t just John and Lyndon. Ike and Dick, and all the way back to Harry (who reneged on Uncle Ho so as not to offend the Frogs) participated, as well. Let us share the blame equably.
Yes, you can go back to Truman on policy, but it was JFK who introduced American combat troops and LBJ who vastly expanded them. Nixon was engaged in reducing our troop presence from the first day of his administration.
In the summer of 1969, he pulled out the Army’s 196th LIB from my AO. Whatever else he did, and I didn’t have much use for him, either, Nixon never expanded our presence there but steadily decreased it.
You served more than one tour? Or I am misreading what you wrote? You have my sympathy. I know several others who served more than one. I got out rather than risk going back. One year was plenty.
I know for sure I am not looking forward to flying in a Chinese-made space vehicle of any kind. I have trouble enough getting a decent battery for my HTC…