There really is no terrestrial parallel to space exploration. While American pioneers pushed westward with minimal government oversight, the space age began with government funds and directives. Today, what was once the domain of nation-states is now (theoretically) accessible to upstarts and dreamers.

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Joshua Levine is a research fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation

Prineha Narang is an American scientist, engineer and entrepreneur. She is a professor at UCLA, Operating Partner at DCVC, and a non-resident fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation.