It's important for space entrepreneurs to keep on their radar: 42 USC 2457 of the U.S. Code (available at: http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm ). It basically says that whatever they invent with government money becomes property of the government UNLESS there's an adequate waiver by the government. Here's perhaps the most helpful provision for avoiding this potential socialist pitfall:

"and if such invention is patentable a patent therefor shall be issued to the United States upon application made by the Administrator, unless the Administrator waives all or any part of the rights of the United States to such invention in conformity with the provisions of subsection (f) of this section."