[ WP ] It is revealed that NASA has been deliberately holding back advances in space travel for the past 50 years . Why ?

`` We apologise for what you see to be a failing on our part, but let me explain. 
 
 Whilst we have discovered vast mineral deposits, and the possibility of new colonies, some of the data retrieved from our probes worries us. We're most likely not alone. Imagine we're not alone. What would you want us to do? Advance space travel and maybe make contact? In an ideal situation that would be good, but we do n't know if this is ideal or not. 
 
 Imagine you're in the countryside. You're in the dark, virtually unable to see. You think there's something out there, but are n't sure. Do you yell, knowing that it could be anything, do you take the risk? Knowing there's no-one to turn to if it goes wrong, that humanity has no other defense, we hide in the trees, hoping we are n't discovered, just in case. 
 
 It is much safer to be alone. So we have tried to keep it that way.''
