Getting to the space is about to be outsourced. The Obama administration will propose in its new budget spending billions of dollars to encourage private companies to build, launch and operate spacecraft for NASA and others. The US space agency would buy its astronauts a ride into space just like hopping in a taxi.
Going private would free the space agency to do other things, such as explore beyond Earth’s orbit, do more research and study the Earth with better satellites. And it would spur a new generation of private companies – even some with Internet roots – to innovate. But there’s some concern about that – from former NASA officials worried about safety and from congressional leaders worried about lost jobs. Some believe space is still a tough, dangerous enterprise not to be left to private companies out to make money. Critics fear that Government would lose vital knowledge and control,.
Proponents of private space, an idea that has been kicking around for nearly 20 years, point to the airline industry in its infancy. Initially the Army flew most planes. But private companies eventually started building and operating aircraft, especially when they got a guaranteed customer in the US government to deliver air mail. That’s what NASA would be: a guaranteed customer to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station through 2020.
The White House has said it will be adding US$5.9 billion to the overall NASA budget over five years; Gedmark believes most or all will go to commercial space initiatives.
WASHINGTON – GETTING to space is about to be outsourced.

The Obama administration on Monday will propose in its new budget spending billions of dollars to encourage private companies to build, launch and operate spacecraft for NASA and others. The US space agency would buy its astronauts a ride into space just like hopping in a taxi.

The idea is that getting astronauts into orbit, which the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been doing for 49 years, is getting to be so old hat that someone other than the government can do it. Going private would free the space agency to do other things, such as explore beyond Earth’s orbit, do more research and study the Earth with better satellites. And it would spur a new generation of private companies – even some with Internet roots – to innovate.

But there’s some concern about that – from former NASA officials worried about safety and from congressional leaders worried about lost jobs. Some believe space is still a tough, dangerous enterprise not to be left to private companies out to make money. Government would lose vital knowledge and control, critics fear.

Proponents of private space, an idea that has been kicking around for nearly 20 years, point to the airline industry in its infancy. Initially the Army flew most planes. But private companies eventually started building and operating aircraft, especially when they got a guaranteed customer in the US government to deliver air mail. That’s what NASA would be: a guaranteed customer to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station through 2020.

The White House has said it will be adding US$5.9 billion to the overall NASA budget over five years; Gedmark believes most or all will go to commercial space initiatives.