Innovation in Space

I continue to be astonished at the continuing transformation of the space industry by those who do not come from the established companies.

First, some background. The USA's space shuttle program is now over 30 years old and is getting somewhat long in the tooth. Americans continue to be mesmerized by Shuttle launches and landings yet we should know that the Shuttle technology dates back to the 1970s and the cost per payload -- whether the the cargo is human or technical -- is $450 million per launch. In addition, the shuttle fleet is aging and this poses risk to shuttle personnel and, were another disaster to occur, to NASA's manned spaceflight program.

But a bold and aggressive space entrepreneur, SpaceX's Elon Musk, is challenging the status quo. SpaceX claims to be able to provide a human shuttle service -- basically a space taxi -- from earth to the space station for $20 million per seat. SpaceX might well be the first company to take a major step toward a longtime dream of the aerospace community, the commercialization of space.

Will it work? Time will tell. But what is admirable about SpaceX is the founder's boldness, brashness, and willingness to risk. It is this trait which makes for America's greatness in aerospace and provides for its worldwide leadership.