they'd have a vested interest in being the first or best at creating interstellar space travel. I've privately thought the Church needs to only aim a little lo

they'd have a vested interest in being the first or best at creating interstellar space travel. I've privately thought the Church needs to only aim a little lower: develop cheap access to space, then terraform Mars. One billion and change, tithing a modest 1% of their income per year can put a lot of money in the kitty.