The New Space Race: How Private Companies Are Outpacing Governments

Private companies now dominate space activity. SpaceX launches more payloads than all other countries combined. Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and Relativity Space providing competitive launch services. Private space stations (Axiom, Blue Origin Orbital Reef) planned to replace ISS by 2030. Space tourism (SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic) operational. The shift: space is transitioning from a government program to an industry. Government role evolving from operator to customer and regulator.