"Now, if pvt companies were competing for prize money to get to destination X, be it nearspace, LEO, the moon, NEOs, etc. do any of you think that they would have policy folks in such positions saping up their payroll?"

Well, now that you mention it, I think they would. Might want to figure out what prize to go for, how to go for it, the budget, etc. May even want a policy on when to quit. And they would probably review those with stockholders.

And, really, if there were to be prizes, don't you think there should be some governmental effort to determine what was wanted and needed so as to have an idea as for what to offer a prize? And how much? And the rules? And that the public should be aware?

That may be a bad rap.

Arf