This stimulated the growing importance of developed nations to participate in the development of space. The U.S. space programs primary goal was developing space technologies, putting men on the moon, and becoming the dominant world power in defense during the Cold War. Since the end of the Cold War and the forceful removal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm, the focus shifted. The Berlin wall came down, the Soviet Union collapsed, and the need for weapons of mass destruction has been diminishing. The general public scrutinized our purpose in space for technology and defense and NASA and the Department of Defense were forced by large budget cuts to improve efficiency.
Space remains a vital part of the national agenda of most developed nations.
In addition to being the largest single customer for space assets, government-sponsored research and development initiatives continue to provide a base of activity to support the technological and economic development of the industry. While this demonstrates government affordability, NASA is seeking new efficiencies and possibly funding through potential profits. Even though costs are not changing, it is through the variation of supply that NASA is trying to change the demand. It is this shift from predominantly government funding of space activities to commercial funding and greater economic activity for the U.S. economy that is the motivation factor in space commercialization to create competition and better more efficient use of taxpayer dollars. While demand has recently been increasing substantially, the potential for growth is far from realized.