"Echoes are reverberating around the world."
The race is on.There are only two space stations in orbit currently. The ISS and the one recently launched one by China.
https://www.space.com/tiangong-space-station
Both are funded by a government, (China) or a consortium of government entities, (ISS).
With the end of the Space Shuttle program the NASA and ESA were dependent on Roscosmos for crew changes to the ISS.
A lot of private enterprises are now dipping their toes in the "space" business.
Such as these three.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/ ... ital-reef/
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/328 ... ly-by-2027
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigelow_Aerospace
Up until recently big aerospace corporations like Boeing, Lockheed Martin and etc. had a cost plus contracts locked in with NASA for development and launch contracts.
SpaceX upset the apple cart with its Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon and reusable Falcon 9 boosters. Boeing is still trying to play catch up to SpaceX with its Starliner crew capsule using expendable boosters.
You know when the private space race is on when a multi billionaire sues NASA over lost bid for a lunar lander.
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/17/10284807 ... tract-moon
I'm not a fan of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos or Richard Branson. Personalities, egos, were and will be, involved in progress.
Witness the competition between Tesla and Edison.
So far SpaceX looks like it is ahead with a NASA certified crew capsule.
SpaceX is currently waiting for FAA clearance for an orbital launch of its newest space vehicle.
https://www.space.com/elon-musk-starshi ... h-schedule
Blue Origin has a rocket powered pogo stick/reusable booster and capsule.
Virgin Galactic has a rocket powered glider.
Both of the above will give you a thrill ride of your life with about 5 to 10 minutes of experiencing free fall and personally see the
"Thin Blue Line" that ALL life on earth depends on.
