endeavors? Why?
I have a problem with the U.S. being reliant for other countries in the coming years for transportation into space. That is relinquishing a until now dominance of space exploration. It gives up the independence of doing what we need to do when we need to do it. We are destined to "rent" a ride from countries who will have their own space agenda, funded in part by US astronauts "renting" a ride.

We will be surrendering in the short term the advantages and technologies that come from the development of space hardware and software. Not to mention being placed on the "taxi" countries time table instead of ours.

As is typical with this administration, Obama has espoused a concept of private development with no guidelines or objectives. Just let private industry sort it out. NASA was and should remain the focal point of the US continuation of space exploration. Private industries job, as it has been, is to provide hardware and software that meets projects, programs, expectations, time tables and objectives established/dictated by NASA.

Private industry space development will not have the same objectives or the same vision.

I believe this is another example of Obama's short sighted and lack of management capability by not setting the expectation just as Kennedy did when he set the direction for accomplishments in space during his day.
Once again he has articulated an anecdotal description how our mission could be accomplished by other means.....third parties....whether US private industry or other countries.

We would be handing a leadership role to countries who in the past have not been on the friendliest of terms with the US. What makes anybody think that they now can be relied upon to take care of our needs in space, for the foreseeable future?

There must be leadership....responsibility...accountability by NASA or another agency DEDICATED to the US needs and objectives in space. LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY...traits I personally find absent in Obama's requisites to date.

Another step towards second place or less status in the world. What a shame.

btk