All my life, the US was THE nation to send up people into orbit. Even when nobody was on their way, there was always a plan. The shuttle program was delayed several times but everyone knew it would happen--everyone took it for granted--and when Challenger exploded, there was a plan.
But now? Richard Branson can send tourists to the edge of space and the US can buy missions from Russia, but it's like they stole our future. For the first time, a Star Trek future just doesn't seem likely.