14 DAY TRIAL // Under the provisions of the 2010 National Space Policy, NASA is current funding the development of spacecraft built by private firms. However, House lawmakers are not pleased with this. They showed their skepticism on October 26, calling for new solutions to move America's space program forward.
The Committee on Science, Space and Technology placed the costs and benefits of this initiative in the balance, and the end results come up short for the government and the general public. In addition, the market for private space launches is not exactly booming today.
“NASA seemingly takes the position of 'Build it and they will come.' From my perspective, the business case is not very compelling,” said the chairman of the Committee. Ralph M. Hall (R-Texas).
But representatives from private space companies defended themselves by saying that the space taxis do not need NASA's constant patronage. Money can be obtained from auxiliary services, such as cargo transportation and satellite servicing for other agencies, Space reports.