I usually focus on what we should do in the near term regarding space, but I thought it would good to picture a little further ahead, what space could be look like 10 years from now.
Both the Shuttle and ISS will probably be operating- but both will not be run by NASA. Shuttle will be used for space tourist, construction/deployment of various projects, and for used by NASA to get crew to ISS. NASA will use ISS mostly for tests needed for manned missions.
The US will have more than two launch sites and 3 the launch companies- quite a few states will have launch sites. The largest number of launch companies will be involved with sub-orbital flights.
If there are "fully" reusable space vehicles they will be vehicles which do sub-orbital flights- if it's assisted in some way it might get into orbit- in other words it will be designed for sub-orbital, but by modifying or perhaps simply reducing payload it could get into orbit.
There will be gas stations in Earth orbit operated by private companies.
One or two small "hotels" in orbit. Larger hotels could be in development and so could houses be built for very rich and of course, eccentric.
If there is minable deposit of water at lunar poles, then there will be a few companies mining water. There will also be gas stations at Earth/Moon L-points. There will plans to build tourist spots on Moon. Lunar companies mining iron, glass, aluminum, and/or other materials from regolith. There will be companies looking and perhaps finding and mining rich ore deposits from impactor on the Moon.
There will be launchers capable of lift 80-100 tons to LEO- most will probably launch from equator sites.
Large governmental projects from a number of different govenments could include [in orbit or on Moon] large SPS, large telescopes, and/or mass drivers. Also governmental projects would include plans of colonizing Mars- sending manned crew there.
Also governments will probably be involved with and favor mass drivers because these are more controllable and will add value to a region where they a located. This will extend to "world banking policy" in funding for things like dams and other infrastructure, mass drivers would probably be seen as better option than building large rockets.
[Of course all the above is somewhat optimistic, but I think quite doable]
10 years from now
