The economic viability of a "Space Force" depends on the rate of development. China may well exceed its economic capacity as did the Soviet Union in building its armed forces. We should proceed, but very carefully; not at a desperate, breakneck competitive speed "at all costs." That is exactly what the Soviet Union did. This is the classic "tortoise v hare" story. We had best proceed deliberately, as did Chris Kraft, when he built our original space program. The Soviets beat us to space yet we eventually caught up, and some say surpassed them. He vowed never to risk the lives of our soldiers with more than one variable at a time, and our first casualties were after Kraft retired. Lessons learned? I hope so.