I think they're spending trillions on the space station which uses baseline data including NASA's Ben Franklin mission--and they ain't going to spend much on the ocean, even though it's a heck of a lot closer, substantially warmer and considerably more informative--at least from our perspective. The drift mission was a stunt. I had some friends who were involved on the preparations and topside watch, and the data gathered just repeated the tests already done. Aside from the (relatively minor) oceanographry and hydrography segments, not much happened that couldn't be replicated in a sealed housetrailer with television screens for windows and plenty of hot water. But man, I'd have LOVED being there!!!Vance