http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1592834,00.html
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Ever since Alan Shepard became the first American in space in 1961, NASA has controlled our mission in space. It became a sacred place, untouchable, a museum open only to select government employees. Fewer than 500 people have reached space since Shepard; Branson plans to double that number in Galactic’s first year. NASA’s idea of progress is to return to the moon, nearly a half-century later. Last year the agency spent nearly $5 billion sending highly trained astronauts to the ISS, largely to ferry supplies and fix the AC and other sputtering plumbing. The new generation of entrepreneurs is betting it can do what NASA does–only better and cheaper, with cushier seats and cool views for paying customers.
Far from fighting these space invaders, NASA is pushing such ideas as FedEx–like service to lunar outposts, private fueling stations in orbit and space tourism. “We’re entering a renaissance period of space exploration,” NASA administrator Michael Griffin said in January. Like the Renaissance, he said, wealthy entrepreneurs will–in fact, must–take the lead in commercializing technology.
Many NASA critics take it further. The agency’s role, they say, should be to explore the far reaches of the universe by roving robot, leaving Earth’s orbit and the moon to the private sector. “We’re in this transition zone, where the Lewis and Clark role of NASA has been done on the human side,” says space activist and rabble rouser Rick Tumlinson, founder of Orbital Outfitters. “Now it’s time for the settlers and shopkeepers to move in.”
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