Space station blues

Tang: Miracle Space-Age Orange Drink

Tell me again. Exactly why is it that the US needs a full-time manned space station? Don't try to tell me the value lies in spin-offs like Tang or Space Food Sticks. Humankind could have cooked up all the miracle space-age this and miracle space-age that we see advertised on TV without NASA.

If it is true that we couldn't do without one, why do we have to share it with the Russians?