If you can choose which government to live under, does this make you a Free man or woman? Even if the choices are communism, tribalism, or facism.
As long as people/corporations chose where to allocate their resources this is free market. When the government uses its police powere to demand that resources be spent on thing that the people wouldn't chose, this is the antithesis of free market.
There is little difference between corporate America and government. Look at the board of directors for several large companies... most of those bozos have served in gov't, and vice versa.
What is "legitimate government research?"
National defense, which includes significant parts of the space program.
I have to admit I don't see the relevance here. What does government have to do with the free market (other than repress it of course)?
There is little difference between corporate America and government.
Absolutely wrong. There is an enormous fundamental difference between corporations and government. This difference is that you don't have to pay for the services of a corporation. You can chose not to use or pay for the services of a corporation. You cannot chose not to pay for the services of government. You are compelled by threat of death to follow the directives of government and to pay for government services whether or not you use them (good racket).
Military R&D is legitimate government research. I just don't agree that manned space missions are legitimate military subjects.