> the immense amount of pork involved (SLS is called "Senate Launch System" for good reason

Most of science has always had this dual use purpose.

No senator ever would have voted for any kind of space program just to send a few tourists to the moon. It's a way to have a substantial workforce, spread across a wide area (so they can't all be hit by the same bomb), that knows how to make and launch rockets and to do weird stuff in space and to work with very energetic materials.

But I agree that it feels hollow right now because of the war abroad and also the needless disrespect we've shown to our Canadian friends at home.

It reminds me a little bit of The Man in the High Castle, it's like these videos are sent from some happier timeline that we don't live in. Hopefully they inspire some people to bring the spirit of curiosity and friendship they present back to our earth.