Don't count on it! We are to busy bringing "democracy" to the middle east with the barrel of a gun and crying racism everytime somebody questions a sacred cow. Waaay to busy with tailgating and then cursing about gas prices to worry about drilling our own oil or getting alternative energy sources. Waaay to busy with Viagra to worry about cancer research and waaaay to busy propping up corrupt leaders to worry about world hunger. Way to busy with the latest patent on the new wonder drug to cure baldness or lower our bad cholesterol without any exercise ( Just don't take it on Monday or pass a pregnant woman or if you have a liver or a spleen or have ever eaten a candy bar. To do so can make you sterile, blind, senile and loose all control of your bladder. Take as directed and don't miss a dosage, but if you do then wait to take it the next day, Never let a small child or an elderly person touch it and if you have an erection lasting over 4 hours either call your doctor or head to the nearest red light district)
Anyway, we don't have the money or the time to worry about space don'tcha know.