Amanda Myers

Physics 1040
Signature Assignment
Dr. Sim Kaur

The Second Space Race

After the race to get to the moon between the United States and, at the time, the Soviet

Union there emerges a new type of space race. This time it is a race between entrepreneurs and

they are searching to make space more accessible in a variety of ways. In a time when space

exploration is not a priority for the US government, who are NASA and other space programs

turning to for funding and additional help?

Although private space programs have the money and drive to seek better opportunities

for space travel and exploration, there are a lot risks and challenges that need to be faced. The

government and private space programs seem to be focusing on space as an opportunity for

investment rather than focusing on opportunities to discover more about our ever expanding

universe. This could be problematic because, while these companies are searching for better and

more efficient ways for space travel and exploration, they are drastically and trying to speed up

the process. Which could cause them to skip over protocols and put people or projects in danger.

Some programs, for example Elon Musk's SpaceX program, are looking to create

reusable rockets. The SpaceX program often helps send supplies to the International Space

Station. With the shift of NASA exploration, many companies have appeared on the scene,

diversifying the ideas of space travel and exploration. A company by the name of Masten, which
started in California, has developed reusable rockets and lander technologies. (Dean 2016) This

company will help NASA land a rover on Mars in 2020. Many of the private companies are

looking for ways to make access to space more affordable. They are doing this by incorporating

new technologies for efficiency. They are also looking at ways to reuse rockets and boosters to

decrease the costs.

Space tourism has become a popular way entrepreneurs are looking to make money.

Bigelow Aerospace and Axiom Space are developing compressed habitat modules which expand

when they have reached their destination. (Powell 2016) They have already achieved getting a

test module attached to the International Space Station. NASA has agreed that private companies

will be able to send their own astronauts to the International Space Station within a few years.

They haven't stated if or when private travels to the International Space Station will start.

Although, many wealthy people have gone to the International Space Station as self-funded

"space tourists." (Powell 2016)

To me it seems like the big program out there that is dominating the industry is the

SpaceX program that Elon Musk founded. As stated in the previous paragraphs, the SpaceX

program has helped NASA with many launches of satellites and other operations. Such as

sending a cargo rocket with supplies to the International Space Station. In my opinion, I think

independent space programs are okay as long as there are rules and guidelines, that should be set

by the government, are followed. It seems that NASA, a government project, needs outside help

to help with their projects. If these individual or private companies are willing to invest their

time and energy in to NASA’s programs and follow the guidelines everything should be fine.
Work Cited:
Dean, J. (2016, 11 Jul). New spirit of innovation is transforming space industry. USA TODAY
Retrieved from https://sks-sirs-com.libprox1.slcc.edu
Davenport, C. (2016, 21 Aug). The billionaire space barons and the next big leap. Washington
Post Retrieved from https://sks-sirs-com.libprox1.slcc.edu
Powell, E. (2016, 14 Oct). 'Space tourism' may be possible as soon as 2020, say companies.
Christian Science Monitor Retrieved from https://sks-sirs-com.libprox1.slcc.edu
Mitchell, R., & Petersen, M. (2016, 04 Sep). Is musk trying to do too much too fast? Los Angeles
Times Retrieved from https://sks-sirs-com.libprox1.slcc.edu
Gebelhoff, R. (2016, 01 Feb). The space race is not over yet -- and the stakes are as high as ever.
Washington Post - Blogs Retrieved from https://sks-sirs-com.libprox1.slcc.edu