question:  Based on indicators in the passage, what can be inferred as the time setting of the story?
context: What's more important—Man's conquest of space, or one spaceman's life? It was in the way of an antique, being one of the timepieces made generations past in the Alpine area of Eur-Asia. It was better to retire on a limited crediting, on a confoundedly limited crediting, than to take the two or three more trips in hopes of attaining a higher standard. Doctor Girard-Perregaux was convinced Gubelin would have even worn facial hair, had he but a touch more courage. He said, "Nevertheless, both you and I conform with the present generation in finding it far more pleasant to follow one's way of life in the comfort of one's home than to be confronted with the unpleasantness of facing nature's dangers in more adventurous pastimes." Born in our Ultrawelfare State, he was guaranteed his fundamental womb-to-tomb security by being issued that minimum number of Basic shares in our society that allows him an income sufficient to secure the food, clothing, shelter, medical care and education to sustain a low level of subsistence. He was drafted into the working force reserves, served his time, and is now free from toil for the balance of his life. Girard-Perregaux was wagging his finger again, a gesture that, seemingly mild though it was, had an astonishing ability to break off the conversation of one who debated with the easy-seeming, quiet spoken man. Man has always paid lip service to adventure, hardships and excitement, but in actuality his instincts, like those of any other animal, lead him to the least dangerous path. It will take months, possibly more than a year, to bring another novitiate pilot to the point where he can safely be trusted to take our next explorer craft out. "The trouble with you, Lofting, is that you have failed to bring history to bear on our problem. "Unfortunately, our present-day sailor can't be separated from his money quite so easily.
output:  The future, based on the advanced technology
options:  The present, based on the character use of credit cards.  The past, based on the dialogue used by characters.  The future, based on the advanced technology  The present, due to the government restrictions on space exploration.