The best argument for privatizing the space program yet

Space X has announced the Falcon Heavy- the most powerful operational rocket in the world and second only to the Saturn V as the most powerful booster in history.

I remain skeptical about the ability of the private sector to compete with government-funded man in space programs in Russai, China, and probably in the future Japan, Europe, and India. But if the Falcon Heavy is a success, it will be an impressive achievement, and the best evidence yet that maybe the private sector can operate successfully in that endeavor without embarassing itself or causing the United States to fall any further behind the other spacefaring powers than the Obama decision to pare back government support for the space program makes unavoidable.

The next human beings to walk on the surface of the moon will be Chinese. Thanks to the Obama decision, there is, at this point, precious little that can be done about that. But as skeptical as I remain, maybe the private sector can eventually get us back in the ballgame.

We shall see what we shall see.