I certainly hope that this doesn't result in the space station being abandoned. I truly believe that the space program is important, if for no other reason than that this planet won't last forever (even if we avoid the meteors, the sun will eventually run out of hydrogen), and our descendants will need a new home.
Life being ironic sometimes, I've just started re-reading "Komarr" (a Bujold novel), which has the lead character investigating an accident in space. Quote I came across earlier today: "He started working his way through the six reports. They were more detailed than the prelims he'd already seen, but contained no surprises. By this time, he wanted a surprise, something, anything beyond Spaceship blows up for no reason, kills seven." I think there are lots of people at NASA who would echo those sentiments right now.
