So do the Koch Brothers now get to own outer space?

Today was the last NASA missile launch.

From now on, I guess it's all going to be privatized. So I take it that the Koch Brothers, and all the other multi-billionaires are going to "own" space. Didn't George Lucas already make this movie?

Once the ultra-rich get their own space program into full swing, I guess the price of air will go up, along with everything else on earth. But, hey, don't get me wrong. The Koch brothers also create. Angel toilet paper is one of their big products.

The technologically advanced world we live in today came about because of NASA, the original space program that got us to the moon, and a government that gave a damn about our well being.

Now, we are about to enter the era of "privatized" space. "E.T.", forget calling home. You will no longer be able to afford the phone call. And the price for landing a ship to pick you up will be out of your reach.

I guess the bottom line here is that, owning this planet and everyone on it, is not enough for the ultra wealthy. And if you've ever wondered what they want, the answer is simple. They want more. And they'll never have enough.

The reason people like Bigelow, Musk, and Chang-Diaz worked on their own is because NASA wasn't going anywhere.
The Space Shuttle was supposed to provide cheap access to space, but it turned out to be much more expensive than expected.
There wasn't enough political support for Bush's moon and mars programs.
Nobody is going to "own" space any more than anyone "owns" they sky - airlines don't "own" the sky.
There was a lot of concern when the internet was privatized, but it's come through pretty well.

"Privatization" of virtually everything ends up with the majority of us getting screwed.

Do just a bit of research on the Apollo program that took us to the moon, and you'll learn how most of humanity benefited from it.

Do you really trust those who want to own everything to "own" outer space?

It's past time for a "new" NASA or it's equivalent. But trusting corporations "To go where no one has gone before"? Evidently, you haven't learned from the "empires," "kingships," "corporations," and every other entity that has screwed humanity for the past few thousand years.

Out Constitution had it right (for the most part). But today, it's just a stumbling block to those who would own us, and couldn't care less whether we live or die.

The world is, and always has been owned, for the most part, by the cruel, ruthless and greedy. What makes you think that human nature would change in outer space?

Nobody can "own" space - that violates international space treaties.
Ares wouldn't have been ready for a long time - it was way behind schedule.
The ISS would come down before Ares was ready.
Musk started working on his rockets because NASA had no plans to go to Mars, and he wanted to go to Mars.
Boeing and others are also working on their own capsules.
"Russia Inc." has been selling tickets to space tourists for years.
And cargo launch was privatized a long time ago.
Dish TV has its own satellites.
etc etc.

NASA will be working on BEO and Mars missions,
we haven't abandoned human space exploration.
The only thing that's been "privatized" is crew launch services.

astronaut would already have to be high to pilot on of those rockets out of orbit.

But if I get your drift, the "haves" will spend billions in an instant, in order to make trillions.

to make decisions like buying cheap O-rings?

They convince themselves too easily that safety can be gambled with. Look at the nuclear plants and the oil wells. Really, without government there to make sure that regulations are safe, their venture will just be one rocket explosion shy of defeat.

You have a point. I can see an astronaut being required to do more than just "astronauting."

Maybe multi-tasking at a second job while in space? How about call-center representative?

Turns on NASA mic:
...That's a 'roger,' Houston. We'll dock with the Space Lab in 30 minutes."
Turns off NASA mic; turns on CitiGroup mic:
Hello? I would like to speak with Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith? Yes, before we continue I need to inform you that this call may be monitored...

2. It's the second to last.
3. There will probably be another program, but just like there was a pause after Apollo, there will be the same here.

But I really don't want to see any corporation or cabal of greed take over a program which affects every human being on this planet.

Earth is but one small entity among the countless billions in our galaxy, and the countless trillions or quadrillions in the universe.

The arrogance of the uber-wealthy among us is laughable. They are like fleas floating down the river with erections shrieking, "Open the drawbridge."