Here is a great way for the private sector to help advance the space program. And of course they've been doing a great job.

Suppose NASA wanted to build a super-sized space telescope or interferometer - it would probably be a custom job. Right?

But what if optical or infrared interferometers were already available to amateurs via the private sector? Then NASA could buy off-the-shelf, proven tech, with mass production capability already in existence. Maybe NASA could even help the private sector develop the product in the first place?

What do you think? Possible? Maybe even a good idea.