NASA, the US space agency, completed a study in July, and is now seriously considering fuel depots in orbit around the earth, so astronauts can get their fuel en route instead of lift it with them from the ground. An agency report indicates Loves and several other possible fuel station retailers are interested in the project. Fuel depots would have beer and cigarettes, his and hers restrooms, and a variety of snack foods. But retailers are concerned about “drive offs” and hot checks. As one Seven-11 representative put it, “If they decide to take off without paying, we’re talking about a lot more than a fifty dollar fill-up. And we can’t just tape the US government’s check to the register and shame them into paying. That doesn’t work for the UN; it won’t work for us.”