My words exactly. Would have a lot of pre-work to do.

As an odd coincidence, I have Von Braun's (Ley's and Bonestel's too) "The Exploration of Mars" right in front of me as I type. I have it since I was a kid.

I agree.. I'd love to work for SpaceX but even though I have my Canadian security clearances, and an eligible for a TN permit (mechanical/aerospace engineering) with 5 years experience I can't apply. Same for Scaled Composites...

Oh, that does suck. And I even have a degree in aerospace engineering, though I'm a Ruby web monkey these days.

And yet their competitor, the Atlas rocket - uses a Russian engine ?

So it's apparently OK for strategic US rockets used to launch military payloads, to use Russian engines but not for a private company to employ Canadians.