‘Exploration, Inc.’: Corporate America and the nation’s exploration evolution

As the federal government attempts to cut costs, including at NASA, corporations and private investors are venturing further into the realm of exploration innovation.

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Dec. 24, 1968

Earth rises over the horizon of the moon in a photo taken by the astronauts on Apollo 8. It has been over 40 years since Apollo 17, the last manned American lunar landing.

NASA / AP

Nov. 22, 1960

Astronaut Alan Shepard Jr., poses in the Mercury spacecraft at Cape Canaveral in 1961. Shepard was the first American to fly in space and one of only 12 Americans to walk on the moon. He died July 21, 1998, at the age of 74. The space race of the 1960s served as merely one of many aspects of the Cold War, a catalyst for some of the world’s most inspiring technological and exploratory breakthroughs.

July 20, 1969

Astronaut Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot, is seen on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong took this photograph with a 70mm lunar surface camera. During the Cold War, the government opened the nation’s coffers for NASA, producing a series of technological discoveries and exploration firsts. These developments also served to galvanize the nation and fuel citizens’ collective imagination.

NASA / AFP

March 9, 2012

The U.S. space shuttle Discovery, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida as it is readied for display. The Discovery flew the third-to-last mission of the space shuttle program. The end of the shuttle program has left many wondering what NASA’s next, great breakthrough will be even as the agency is on track for yet another budget cut.

Bruce Weaver / AFP/Getty Images

March 27, 2012

A sounding rocket launches from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va., as part of the Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment. Five rockets were launched from the site before dawn for the ATREX mission to help scientists understand the upper-level jet stream, 60 to 65 miles above Earth's surface. (See more photos of the rocket launches.)

NASA / AP

Feb. 13, 2012

Staff assistant Kathleen Llewellyn distributes copies of President Obama's fiscal 2013 budget request upon its arrival at the Senate Budget Committee room on Capitol Hill. The budget features the lowest request for NASA in four years.

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Feb. 13, 2012

President Obama speaks about his budget plan to students at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale. In the president’s budget request, NASA would receive $3 billion for human spaceflight projects, including funding for a new rocket and deep-space capsule. However, the request also includes $830 million to continue a program created under Obama to “jump-start commercial companies striving to build new rockets and capsules that will eventually send astronauts to the international space station,” as reported by Washington Post staff writer Brian Vastag.

Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images

Feb. 22, 2012

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, third from right, checks out a replica of the Mars Science Laboratory rover at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. President Obama's proposed budget calls for a 20 percent cut in NASA's planetary budget, forcing a restructuring of the Mars exploration program.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, while promoting his latest book, has <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/post/neil-degrasse-tyson-asks-us-how-much-the-universe-is-worth-the-web-responds/2012/03/19/gIQAvw34NS_blog.html'>called for an increase in funding for NASA</a>. During his March 7 testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Tyson asked, “How much would you pay for the universe?” The question was repeated heavily on the Internet, spliced into viral videos and prompting the #Penny4NASA movement. Supporters of the movement call for NASA’s funding to be raised to a full penny per dollar in tax revenue received.

Oct. 29, 2007

Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, while promoting his latest book, has called for an increase in funding for NASA. During his March 7 testimony before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Tyson asked, “How much would you pay for the universe?” The question was repeated heavily on the Internet, spliced into viral videos and prompting the #Penny4NASA movement. Supporters of the movement call for NASA’s funding to be raised to a full penny per dollar in tax revenue received.

Helayne Seidman / For The Washington Post

March 13, 2008

Elon Musk, founder and chief executive of Space X, stands with one of the company's space capsules. Musk, co-founder of payment giant PayPal, is one of many outside of the government who seek to make commercial space travel viable and, ultimately, profitable.

Markham Johnson / Bloomberg Markets via Bloomberg News

This undated artist rendering provided by Space Exploration Technologies (Space X), shows the company’s new rocket, Falcon Heavy. On March 20, <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/space-x-virgin-galactic-ships-to-launch-space-to-become-more-commercialized/2012/03/20/gIQAE7LWPS_blog.html'>Elon Musk, chief executive and chief rocket designer of Space X, unveiled plans to launch the world's most powerful rocket</a> since man went to the moon.

This undated artist rendering provided by Space Exploration Technologies (Space X), shows the company’s new rocket, Falcon Heavy. On March 20, Elon Musk, chief executive and chief rocket designer of Space X, unveiled plans to launch the world's most powerful rocket since man went to the moon.

Space Exploration Technologies / AP

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson is pursuing his own plans for space exploration with the creation of Virgin Galactic. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/space-x-virgin-galactic-ships-to-launch-space-to-become-more-commercialized/2012/03/20/gIQAE7LWPS_blog.html'>On March 20, he announced</a> that Virgin Galactic’s suborbital spaceflights would be planned for 2013, with actor Ashton Kutcher as the company’s 500th passenger. Tickets for a trip 68 miles above Earth run passengers roughly $200,000.

March 15, 2012

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson is pursuing his own plans for space exploration with the creation of Virgin Galactic. On March 20, he announced that Virgin Galactic’s suborbital spaceflights would be planned for 2013, with actor Ashton Kutcher as the company’s 500th passenger. Tickets for a trip 68 miles above Earth run passengers roughly $200,000.

Paul J. Richards / AFP/Getty Images

May 4, 2011

In this handout photograph taken with high powered telescopes from the ground, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo flies in full feather-wing mode on a rapid descent from its drop altitude of 51,500 feet, over Mojave, Calif. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson hopes to send the first of 500 passengers on a suborbital trip in 2013.

Virgin Galactic/Clay Center Observatory / Reuters

Oct. 17, 2011

Guests and media watch as Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo takes flight carrying SpaceShipTwo over Spaceport America, northeast of Truth Or Consequences, N.M. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan have both voiced concerns about the emergence of commercial spaceflight, saying they are worried it could lead to safety issues and eventually cost taxpayers regardless, according to DailyTech.

Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images

Sept. 20, 2011

Film director James Cameron, left, and Robert A. Iger, president and chief executive of the Walt Disney Co., attend a media briefing in Glendale, Calf. Cameron became the first solo explorer to venture to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean, and the first person since Lt. Don Walsh and Jacques Piccard’s historic voyage in 1960.

Fred Prouser / Reuters

March 25, 2012

Explorer and "Titanic" filmmaker James Cameron talks with his crew in front of the Deepsea Challenger following the testing of the submersible in Jervis Bay, south of Sydney. Cameron completed the world's first solo dive to the deepest known point on Earth in the specially designed submarine. He reached the "Challenger Deep," the lowest point of the Mariana Trench, on March 26.

Mark Thiessen/National Geographic / via Reuters

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

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