Just last week Democrats accused Republicans of not having a clear vision for NASA. The week before that Republicans accused Democrats of not having a clear vision for NASA. Floridians are concerned about Congress' attitude toward commercial space. People in the space industry are just concerned about their futures and the future of America's space program.
The hot button at the moment is "commercial space" and its future. The first question that comes to mind is: "Why is there concern among Republicans, Democrats or the Congress about the future of commercial space?"
To most of us "commercial space" means entrepreneurs have finally entered that part of the space arena that has previously been the exclusive domain of the government contractor community. This new breed of risk takers has a mindset on making profit, not on simply getting government cost-plus contracts.
Commercial space means competition for government and non-government business, competitive prices, innovation and exciting careers for those involved in the industry.
Over the past 50 years almost all of commercial space has been the exclusive domain of commercial communications satellite operators and manufacturers. Finally, the situation is starting to change, and for the better.
Commercial space means that the private sector is going to compete for space business from all over the world. Profit is simply one way of keeping score in a competitive business.
Success is the real motivation. Competing against the others and winning – that's what it is all about. This is done by doing it better, creating better products and services, dedication and perseverance.
This is the kind of stuff that gets us excited. Politicians and Government have no right to dampen our enthusiasm or "rain on our parade." If we succeed, we move forward. If we fail, we move on. It is as simple as that.
Let the games begin.
