RE: The future of the space station.
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It is very interesting how NASA is awarding contracts to manage the services needed in the ISS a private company called Axiom:
- Launch future modules into the ISS
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-first-commercial-destination-module-for-international-space-station - Launch private crews to the space station:
https://www.space.com/axiom-space-station-first-private-crew-approved
https://www.space.com/nasa-approves-axiom-space-second-iss-mission
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The stuff that people put in space should be seen as assets with corresponding liabilities. So, I see nothing wrong with involving the private sector as the private sector often does a better job of maximizing the return from assets while reducing associated risks and liabilities.
NOTE: The private sector fails when that system allows private companies to externalize their costs and shunt off their liabilities onto the public.
Liability in space is a very particular case, Space is under international law and the Outer Space Treaty, signed in 1967 and followed by a liability convention in 1971.
It is state there that the launching state is liable for any damage caused by a space object.