.5. Advanced Technology Development and Transfer:
As an expert in rocket engines and artificial gravity, NASA's strength in funding and prototyping breakthrough technologies that the private sector can then scale.
This includes next-generation propulsion systems, such as nuclear thermal rockets for faster Mars transits, or centrifugal artificial gravity modules to mitigate microgravity effects on long-duration missions to Mars.
NASA should act as a "bleeding-edge lab," testing concepts like in-situ resource utilization on the Moon or Mars - extracting water ice from lunar craters or Martian permafrost for propellant production - and handing mature tech to companies like SpaceX for commercialization.
This model avoids redundancy, as seen in the Artemis program's use of Starship for lunar landings, where NASA provides oversight while leveraging private hardware.
