Start Up Space Corporations are kicking NASA, established aviation firms ass....

via The Verge.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed upright on solid ground at Cape Canaveral, Florida this evening, after traveling into space and back. It's the first time SpaceX has been able to gently touch down the Falcon 9 post-launch — something the company has been trying to do for the past year. It’s a big first step toward reusable rockets.
This launch was also the first time SpaceX has flown since June, after one of its Falcon 9 rockets exploded en route to the International Space Station. Now this return-to-flight mission has made history — no one else has ever landed a rocket that has gone as deep into space as the Falcon 9.

I doubted the efficacy of commercial space launches, much less travel.

No more.

These start ups (well funded start ups) are kicking NASA/Govt and established firms (like Boeing, Lockheed Martin) ass.

I say we get out the way and let them run with the ball.  If this is any example of what they're able to do, then we'll see the Space X flag on Mars long before we see the US'.

Serious question.  What happens if they decide to take all their toys and move to another country?  Could we prevent that?  If we did would it be right?  Would it be ethical?  If they make the move because they can make a profit in another country because of lower labor costs with a population that is just as educated would it be ethical?

Many questions...questions we better start answering now.