SpaceX Pushes Back, But Doubts Remain (From Forbes)

My critical commentary on commercial launch provider SpaceX appearing at Forbes.com last week attracted 11,000 readers and a handful of outraged responses from company supporters. I have followed up with a second commentary this week focusing on how SpaceX’s track record compares with that of more traditional launch providers and why the company’s business strategy is risky. The new posting won’t mollify any of my critics, but it does underscore the risks associated with relying on an unproven launch provider to sustain NASA’s human spaceflight program. That program can’t absorb many more setbacks without becoming permanently impaired in the current political environment. You can read my new commentary for Forbes here.