the u.s. gov. has only ever funded the space program becuase of their interest in space based weaponry, not for humanitarian reasons or exploration. Notice how after the cold war space race, how all of that funding dried up, the shuttle program is nearly 30 years old for god's sake. Space weapon satellites for the sole purpose of nuclear warfare. Although a laser would be good for defense but we all know the scientists won't just stop there, they will make even more deadly weapons to kill their fellow man. As a race were doomed if we continue with this kind of thinking. Just think of the countless billions of dollars being spent on the iraq war, could be used to finding a cure for cancer, to find a new fuel source to end the energy crisis, or even space exploration. I know your talking about deploying the laser on a plane but i'm talking about reagon and the strategic defense initiative or sdi for short, which reagon and bush sr. tried to put into action but was never actually built and billions spent, or so the government says, who nows if they have a working prototype. It scares the hell out of me though when we have madmen on both sides, both thinking their right in god's eyes on the nuclear button. We need to have leaders who respect human life, not just looking for a war excuse, although the taliban had what was coming to them. But we should not stoop to their level of depravity when we can make smart and informed decisions, and proceed wisely and intelligently.