TechTank: How Much Influence Do Private Firms Have Over Space Policy?

As ambitious efforts to return humans to the moon advance, other developments in space exploration continue. This year has seen several landers make it onto the lunar surface and advancements in scientific knowledge through space-based telescopes.  

At the same time, issues concerning the role of private firms in achieving such goals remain unresolved. NASA once had almost complete control on space launches, but now, it often relies on companies to help it get there. Some firms—like Elon Musk-owned SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin—receive billions of dollars for such projects from federal agencies, including NASA and the Department of Defense. Other private sector leaders have gained influence within the Trump administration, including an appointment to the top of NASA. 

In this episode of the TechTank podcast, co-host Darrell West speaks with Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter at the New York Times, about the implications of these partnerships and what it means for space policy.