One also wishes the author had broadened the scope of his inquiry. It would have been better if he had focused more attention on how space is seen throughout the world. Since McCurdy finished the book, a number of developments have occurred that indicate that space enthusiasts have learned some lessons from their failures during the last few decades. They are using new technologies, most prominently the Internet, to make space exploration more real to people. The space tourism industry is taking shape.
Efforts are underway to reduce the cost of space flight.
NASA is also working on projects, such as the X-33, that are designed to reduce the cost of orbital missions. Of course, it may still be a long time before space is accessible to anyone other than the very wealthy. Technological developments may lag, perhaps setting up another cycle in which excessive hype raises hopes that are later dashed.