NASA, Space Force see growing opportunities to use commercial space services

Chief NASA economist Alex MacDonald: 'We found the commercial capabilities are able to move at speeds, while the government programs maybe not always can'

WASHINGTON — NASA’s chief economist Alexander MacDonald said aggressive competition for space agency contracts is “one of the most exciting things that we’re seeing.”

Speaking Nov. 2 on a TechCrunch online panel discussion, MacDonald said competitive forces in the industry are going to help drive down the cost of “core elements of human space exploration.”

Recent announcements that two new industry teams are jumping into the race to develop commercial stations to succeed the International Space Station are “very exciting from a market dynamics perspective,” MacDonald said.