Space Privatization Takes Another Step

It's not flashy, like the suborbital flight offerings from Virgin Galactic and Xcor. (Although I'd sign up for those in a heartbeat, if I had the cash.)

But I think this a great idea, and maybe more important, long term, for human space exploration: US and Italian companies are joining forces to produce a privately-owned and -funded resupply ship for the International Space Station.

The resupply module:

The launch vehicle:

No, this isn't as flashy as human space flight, but it's very, very smart.

Info: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8107877.stm