The space program is a topic that fuels great interest and controversy in the media on a regular basis, and has done so for decades. It represents one of mankind's greatest desires: to explore its surroundings and venture further and further beyond the bounds of our home on Earth and seek opportunity in the stars. As with all new pioneer fields before it, such as the dawn of the era of flight, it has faced numerous challenges and hurdles to overcome in the effort to expand and mature, such as budget and funding concerns, safety issues, and the backlash of public and governmental interest.

One prevalent issue in the space program that was discussed in class was the diversification of the space program, the effort to bring the ability to leave Earth's atmosphere to the public. For decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has held sole control over all traffic of aircraft out of the Earth's atmosphere. NASA is responsible for such monument us projects as the construction and maintenance of the Hubble Space Telescope, missions to the moon, the construction of the international space station, bringing hundreds of commercial satellites into space, sending probes to Mars and the farthest reaches of the solar system and beyond, and countless other space missions.

NASA's missions and services has proved an integral part to the expansion of business and communications. The satellites it launches provide services for all manner of such corporations, such as phone and internet companies, as well as other government agencies such as the military. Funded by the government, NASA has bolstered international relations as well, by working in cooperation with other nations in such projects as the international space station.

However, the space program has been dominated entirely by NASA for the duration of its existence. This complete monopoly of an enterprise by a government institution is incongruous with the nature of America's economy, which in almost all other areas is highly supportive of private franchises. In recent years great public interest was sparked in the idea of private enterprise in space. Several corporations have formed and are vying to be the first and most successful commercial space flight business. The Ansari X-Prize, modeled after the Orteg prize won by Charles Lindbergh in 1927 by flying solo across the Atlantic, is an award given to such companies that seem to exhibit the most progress and success

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