Why NASA job cuts are good for space exploration
The space shuttle is going away and for years, we won't have the same space launch abilities as before. Private companies are looking to fill that void and make a bundle. Just check out http://www.spacex.com/updates.php
This in itself is a great opportunity and if the privateers are successful, it will change NASA forever. The other opportunity is to get the NASA brain-trust into the private sector. The government is handling this by laying off about 8,000 people involved in the space shuttle program. This will happen over the next couple of years. Not all 8,000 will fiind a new home in private space exploration, but many will and some will even start their own companies.
I predict a flurry of activity. Like any new industry, you start with pioneers, then many new entrants come along lured by the success of a few, and then a consolidation occurs. Look at the history of the auto industry for how this works.
I also believe great new innovations will occur. I only wish our desire for space was stronger. I decided to become a nuclear engineer over 20 years ago so that I could operated nuclear plants on the moon (no kidding!). That is now for the next generation.
