Healthy competition between supply partners is encouraged, which translates into savings in both time and money. This competition drives expenses down without impacting quality.
Space.com reported that the SpaceX Dragon flight mission in 2012 was another historic first for NASA. The Dragon has been called a “masterpiece in engineering.” It became the first commercial spacecraft ever to fly cargo to the ISS.
Long-term and far-reaching benefits
With the many SpaceX innovations, the partnership has been reducing the cost of space travel. SpaceX recovers and recycles as many components as possible, in an effort to minimize costs associated with building new boosters for every launch.
The agency’s ultimate goal is just within reach. Partnering with industry to achieve a strong ecosystem in which NASA is one of many customers purchasing services and capabilities at a lower cost. This won’t just add to the economy it will build a brand new “space economy.”
Throughout the years, the space race accelerated new discoveries in science, technology, and medicine. Much of the technology developed by NASA in the 1960s resulted in today’s laptops, GPS technology, electronic watches, and smartphones. Space research also resulted in highly fire-resistant materials and accurate satellite weather forecasting.
