But NASA has provided private industry with the launch facilities and other support.
If private industry had to do it on their own, the costs would be higher.
This mission is not entirely funded or supported by private industry.
Unforunately you are wrong.
A government agency is paying a private company for a service, and only paying for meeting milemarks, not just cost plus. And the taxpayer is getting a big break on the price.
Best thing that ever happened in space developments.
The first Falcon 9 was privately funded because no-one wanted to be the first. When Musk made his bones on that, lots of folks, not just government lined up for launch spots.
/johnny