Well, communications satellites could count, I think. But the latest round of rockets and supply vessels sure doesn't. Who is paying for all of that stuff? Seems to me Uncle Sugar has funded it, one way or the other, with "contracts" for delivery, with R & D, and is the only customer.

As a matter of fact, I believe it was private industry who created all of the rockets, all of the orbiters, every bit of it. What was missing was private industry adding another 25% on top of the profit already guaranteed.

Capitalism my foot. Simply another way to milk Uncle Sam.

Sort of like the mercenaries in the Middle East. Take the place of military personnel, and at one helluva increase in price. Capitalism in war. Not enough to profit from the hardware, have to profit from the bodies.

Gee whiz, save the purely ridiculous for the children.