SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Lockheed Martin, if you are a space fan, then you’ve probably heard these names. After a long hiatus on space exploration since the Apollo missions, new leaders have emerged, but this time is not just NASA. In recent years, multiple new private space companies have popped up and taken the space sector by surprise. But we have to ask ourselves, is space privatization good?
United Launch Alliance’s ATLAS V rocket carrying NASA’s Curiosity Rover- picture by NASA
Private space companies operate on a for-profit platform, which can lead to exploitation of space. Due to lack of regulations, these space companies have lots of freedom when it comes to their operations in space. This allows them for the exploitation and monopolization of resources in space.
These companies are also very secretive of their inside functions. New innovations from these companies are confidential and isn’t publicly available. Consider this, NASA’s Hubble space telescope imaging system is publicly available, and has found use in early breast cancer imaging. Imagine if such intellectual property was not publicly available and kept as a company secret. The secretiveness of these companies could severely impede the advancement of science.
Privatization of space also comes with lots of benefits. Some of these benefits are the re-spark in popularity of space exploration and the plummeting cost of transport.
As NASA shifted focus away from space exploration, it has pawned off majority of its responsibilities to the private aerospace sector. These private companies are incredibly efficient compared to NASA. Government agencies such as NASA require funding from taxpayers, their budget and goals are constantly changing every new election cycle.
Rendering of NASA’s mars rocket, Ares V, which was cancelled by the US government in 2011- photo by NASA
Private companies can set long term goals and also have a stable source of funding. This and the profit driven nature of companies, has allowed them to excel in the industry and significantly drive the cost down. The cost of transporting supplies into low earth orbit costed around $20,000 per kilogram in the 1970s (around $100,000 today) and today the cost is only around $2,000 per kilogram.
SpaceX’s reusable rockets have dramatically decreased the cost of rocket launches- photo by SpaceX
Along with decrease in launch prices, the public interest in space has also been growing. Recently space is becoming more popular likely due to the emergence of these companies. For example, SpaceX’s ambitious goals to reach mars by 2022 has led popularity in space to an all time high since the Apollo missions. This increase in excitement for space can potentially also influence government into allocating more resources for space exploration.
I am okay with the privatization of space, as long as humanity becomes a multi planetary society. New regulations should be placed on these companies so they are held accountable for their operations in space. If all works out, hopefully one day I can pack up my bags and take a vacation to mars.
