CBS Boosts Rocket Makers
“Evening News” does positive story about private businesses in the space race.

By Amy Menefee
July 29 2005

     It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that free market principles are rarely lauded on the network news. But when it comes to private citizens going into space, journalists can’t ignore the news value. CBS’ July 28 “Evening News” took a positive tone in a story about PayPal creator Elon Musk, who’s investing millions in his own company called SpaceX. Business Correspondent Anthony Mason also highlighted other entrepreneurs who are trying to build a better rocket – with space tourism as one of their goals.

     Mason included an interview with NASA’s Brant Sponberg, who said NASA is “trying to turn over more” of the earth-orbiting field to the private sector. The story illustrated the fact that plenty of private entrepreneurs are jumping at that opportunity and pursuing innovative technologies. The X Prize Foundation awarded its first prize for private manned space flight in 2004, spotlighting the competition already under way between private rocket designers. As the traditional Space Shuttle program struggles with its own uncertainties, private innovators are taking advantage of America’s free market and speeding toward the future of space travel.

For more information:

SpaceX

X Prize Foundation

Space Frontier Foundation