Large-scale science projects are often motivated by geopolitical objectives rather than just pure research.

“the science budget of NASA historically has never been more it maxed out at about 35% the long-term average is around a fourth and all the rest goes to geopolitically driven decisions for what NASA does in this world”

Scientific progress is inherently embedded within political systems and depends on political decisions regarding funding and infrastructure.

“if you want to create great science yes you have to have great scientists but you've got to figure out how do you get them how do you create an environment where they flourish how do the ideas get all of that is embedded in a political system that's got to recognize that in order to make wise decisi”