Haven't NASA's astronomical observatories improved due to competition with NSF?
>>>"Where NASA has continuously improved is with the science yield from their astronomical observatories."<<<
Isn't that due, at least in part, to the presence of competition from the National Science Foundation?
Here's an analysis of the impact of badly needed competition on NASA's otherwise lackluster performance:
http://www.spaceprojects.com/spacenews92500/