Private Space: A Free-Market Approach to Space Exploration‪.‬

JEFF ZINSMEISTER, Global Notebook Editor, Harvard International Review Since Sputnik was first placed into Earth orbit in 1957, space exploration has remained almost exclusively under the auspices of government. The tremendous costs and national security interests of the Cold War effectively barred private participation within the final frontier. With the exception of communication satellites, government-sponsored research, and vendor activities for government space programs, private industry has played a minor role. Even after the Cold War, governments still stand as the only route to space flight.