AN EXCELLENT IDEA: So now the White House wants to privatize the International Space Station.

Despite Time Magazine and Jazz Shaw's misgivings, it is an excellent idea. For proof, I suggest that Mr. Shaw look at that smart phone in his hand or the navigation system embedded in his car's dashboard. Both are chock full of technology that was developed on the military's dime. Suppose none of that technology had been privatized.

Space-X has already proved that spent rocket boosters can be landed and reused; and launch costs have dropped dramatically since Space-X has entered the marketplace.

Bigelow Aerospace has as a goal the development and use of expandable space habitat. Can space colonization, space commerce and exploration be far behind?

Finally, NASA is the U.S.'s premier aerospace research and development organization. It is long past time to return it to its original - and proper - role: R&D.

Yes, it's time to privatize.