That's a fair point regarding progress regardless of outcome. But starting a new project to build on that basis is going to be a lot tougher if there's no "look

That's a fair point regarding progress regardless of outcome. But starting a new project to build on that basis is going to be a lot tougher if there's no "look at the pretty pictures" Hubble-effect to sway budgeteers. To extend it ab absurdium, it does remind me of the joke about the theoretical physicist going back to bed when he finds his house aflame, because he invested in a fire extinguisher so a solution exists.