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I have worked both space sectors, public and private, and I can assure you that is a statement of *opinion*.

I too have worked in the government space sector (both NASA and Military) and the private commercial space sector. I have worked fairly high up in NASA's manned spaceflight program and can assure you that this in not merely opinion, but verifiable fact.

It is clear that you are letting your closeness to the problem blind you from seeing (let alone admitting) what is becoming glaringly obvious to everyone else.

I understand that, as it has been hazardous to careers to even privately acknowledge that "the emperor has no clothes" at NASA.

However, private space is starving.

That begs the question of why this is so? Could it be that NASA has had a hand in creating this scenario, instead of nurturing this important industry?

Somebody has to get us into space, sooner rather than later.

No, there are no guarantees that we ever will recreate the "Space Program" of old. Even pouring billions of more tax dollars into NASA's budget does not guarantee they will accomplish the job, given the bureaucratic de-evolution that is crippling it. NASA is still living off of the legend of "doing the impossible" glory days from 30 years ago.

In the commercial sector accomplishment is rewarded, and failure is not tolerated, let alone rewarded as it is in the government.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree. I really, *really* don't think you've got it entirely right. Your bitterness is quite obvious, and it is your blind spot in this matter.

I, for one, do admit to having blind spots myself. I try to see clearly, but that's not always possible for anybody.

That said, yes, it is foolish (in any industry) to point out internal political errors to those more powerful than you. Especially if pointing it out threatens them. You bet NASA has many rice bowls under heavy, jealous guard. Griffin seems to want to eat that rice, FWIW. He is certainly not universally liked for that alone.

"That begs the question of why this is so? Could it be that NASA has had a hand in creating this scenario, instead of nurturing this important industry?"

No. NASA is not in the private sector's way, and the government as a whole is fast-tracking regulatory access. My personal feeling is that a regulatory environment a la the FAA is too much, but it would be naive to think it can be avoided. At the very least that environment is being constructed.

"No, there are no guarantees that we ever will recreate the "Space Program" of old."

Nobody really wants to, though the physical similarity to Apollo makes that false criticism easy to make. In extreme hindsight, as much as i like Shuttle, we should have kept going with capsules. Going back to that simpler physical architecture is a good development. Other than that, we aren't looking at flags-n-footprints, we're going to stay on the Moon. My main criticism of how things are progressing is that Mars work is being deferred again! Very shortsighted.

"In the commercial sector accomplishment is rewarded, and failure is not tolerated, let alone rewarded as it is in the government."

If the return on investment is more than a couple of years out, the commercial sector will not allow the accomplishments to be made. Despite its warts, NASA can pursue goals over longer time-frames, which is what is need right now.