Editing Maximusian Space Program (section)

===Formation and Early Flights (1971-1999)===
An initiative promised by then [[President of Libertas Omnium Maximus|Maximusian President]], [[Harold Evans]], during his 1968 election campaign, the Maximusian Areospace Authority was created in 1969 to more effectively carry out research and satellite launches under the umbrella of one consolidated federal organization. For several years, the organization operated on a shoestring budget, but was given renewed focus and a heftier operating allotment after the [[Great War]] fully concluded. The Maximusian Space Program was founded within the MAA in 1971 with lofty aspirations of manned low-earth-orbits by 1975. Despite a number of setbacks, Maximusian astronauts John Harris and Nicholas Campbell successfully completed the program's first stable low-earth-orbit on the morning of February 12, 1976 in the costly ''Zephyr VII'' capsule. The Zephyr missions flew an additional three manned flights in 1977, 1979, and 1980, respectively, before being cancelled due to another round of budget cuts during the [[John Nelson|Nelson]] administration.