Private Spaceflight Takes Off

Throughout its history, space flight has been dominated by the public sector. But finally, the long-anticipated emergence of private-sector spaceflight is taking place. What will this mean for the technology, the companies involved, and the government programs? What are the implications for our economy and quality of life? We'll examine each of these questions.

When a SpaceX spacecraft lifted off this past December, orbited the Earth, and was recovered in the Pacific Ocean, it represented more than just a s.....