[−]hn_throwaway_99 · 2026-11-15 Sun 00:59 UTC ·
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I really think it depends. For long running projects with high ongoing costs like a launch vehicle, I agree. The issue with government projects of this type is that they eventually turn into jobs projects, and that can compromise the main goals of the projects.
But NASA has had some phenomenal successes in their science expeditions - the Webb Space Telescope (and its Hubble precursor, despite its need for "glasses"), the Mars rovers, Voyagers, etc. Those projects would have largely been impossible in the private sector because there is no monetary return.
> Those projects would have largely been impossible in the private sector because there is no monetary return.
Sell the data you get back from the probe.
Many of the Age of Exploration endeavors were funded by non-government institutions for various reasons, such as getting an exclusive on the story and selling newspapers.
But NASA has had some phenomenal successes in their science expeditions - the Webb Space Telescope (and its Hubble precursor, despite its need for "glasses"), the Mars rovers, Voyagers, etc. Those projects would have largely been impossible in the private sector because there is no monetary return.
Sell the data you get back from the probe.
Many of the Age of Exploration endeavors were funded by non-government institutions for various reasons, such as getting an exclusive on the story and selling newspapers.