Dennis Tito, who originally believed he could send two humans on a Mars flyaround in 2018 with funds from his own fortune and the philanthropy of others, has concluded he needs NASA's heavy-lift Space Launch System (SLS) to do the job, with $100 million a year in upper-stage upgrades from public funds spread over seven years.

As defense manufacturers become accustomed to the prospect of lower Pentagon budgets, there is growing concern over the health of the supply chain, particularly the lower tiers and specifically small companies that may be the sole source of critical parts or a unique technology.

Venezuela's first Earth-observation spacecraft is also China's first export of a high-resolution optical-imaging spacecraft.

NASA's new Mars orbiter will advance human missions

Human spaceflight is just the beginning for burgeoning Chinese program.

A U.K.-based non-profit organization set up to promote the use of space assets in British industry has some lessons that can be applied by the Center for the Advancement of Science In Space (Casis), the non-profit Congress established to promote use of the International Space Station (ISS) by private-sector researchers. The Satellite Applications Catapult and its predecessor organization have a little more time under their belts, and they are already passing it along to Casis as the U.S. operation begins to get some traction.

It is a commonplace that any future attempts to explore outer space will of necessity be an international effort. No single nation can afford the price of admission, and even with everyone pulling together, it will be difficult and dangerous. A recent television schedule for upcoming activities on the International Space Station brought that home.

Thompson is a PwC partner, leader of U.S. Aerospace & Defense practice