What's next for NASA?

With only a few Space Shuttle missions left and President Obama apparently putting the kabosh on the Orion program, what's next for NASA?

Not much apparently, other than we'll have to pay the Russians over 50 million bucks a seat to get back and forth to the International Space Station.

We'll leave a return to the moon and a trip to Mars for other countries. I know for sure there are some good deals on houses in and around Coco Beach, FL as those who worked on the shuttle program move elsewhere.

Space exploration is expensive. But it really pays for itself in the development of technology. Apollo proved that decades ago.

Where NASA has failed, is in not seeking out commercial partners. Richard Branson is building a "Spaceport" in New Mexico right now. If you have a spare 200 grand, a sub-orbital hop is yours and just think of the frequent flier miles!

Want to go to the International Space Station? The Russians will take you there for a mere $25 million.

It's space capitalism, something NASA apparently doesn't like to do. Which is too bad because science and capitalism does work. It's a good mix.

NASA needs to become NASA, Inc. Can you imagine what Google or Apple might have paid to have their logo on the side of the Shuttle? Too late now and that's too bad.

Tang anyone?