The shift from government-led to private-sector space travel

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Watch as NASA's first commercial crew astronauts visit the White House to discuss a fundamental shift in space exploration: partnering with private industry to reach the stars.

Robert Behnken, Eric Boe, Douglas Hurley, and Sunita Williams were received by President Obama as the initial commercial crew astronauts on 19 October 2015. The visit highlighted a pivotal transition in how the United States accesses the International Space Station (ISS).

Rather than relying solely on government-run vehicles, NASA's Commercial Crew Program leverages partnerships with American private companies like SpaceX and Boeing. This public-private approach aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation from American soil, ultimately serving as a stepping stone for NASA's long-term goal of reaching Mars.

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