> But the Dragon still cost less to develop than a single launch of the NASA space shuttle. That's remarkable.

It's called "standing on the shoulders of giants". I'm glad the industry is at a point where it can be run by companies instead of governments, as I'm sure it will be more efficient, and likely innovative as well.

But those of us without an ideological axe to grind are pointing out that it got to this point thanks in no small part to government involvement.