My point was that there is no evidence there are any entrepaneurs with pockets deep enough to take over development of space. I never said NASA was as efficient as private industry. Your example demonstrates the vast difference in financial capabilities which supports my point. While I will agree that NASA will always be less efficient than a profit making industry I will not support abandoning NASA until there is evidence that a truly private industry can succeed.

NASA has wasted tremendous amounts of money not just because of government bureaucracy but because of a lack of clear goals and mandates. The robotic program has been much more successful precisely because it has had those. This is What NASA needs in the manned program as well. NASA did a fantastic job going to the Moon so there is no certain reason to believe it can not break big barriers again just because it is a governmment agency. I do not believe the primary problem is in the majority of the NASA work force (who I believe are strongly dedicated to space exploration), but in NASA and political management.

Regards,
Mark