Developing Private Spaceships

Deputy NASA Administrator Lori Garver recently reiterated NASA's position that it should provide financial backing to at least two private companies trying to develop manned spacecraft. The agency argues having more than one program underway brings competition into the process, which should result in better spaceships more quickly brought into service. The faster NASA can turn to private American ships to carry astronauts, the agency points out, the sooner it can stop sending American tax money to Russia for use of the Soyuz ferry.

Some in Congress are arguing NASA should focus on only one company to support with funding, to save money. Congress, of course, has a less than stellar record when it comes to money management. It is also responsible for the current state of the manned space program. Harnessing competition as a development tool is a rational strategy that Congress might consider using more broadly instead of cutting out.