Artemis 2 prompts a rethink: define the purpose of the U.S. space program before chasing profits

Nick Reese argues Artemis 2 criticism misses the core point: government space programs go first to prove concepts, de-risk infrastructure, and seed a future commercial space economy in cislunar, not just to turn a profit. SpaceX dominates LEO but has yet to prove lunar delivery, and the United States must define the ‘why’ of space exploration beyond beating China—balancing prestige, science, and a sustainable presence—while budget decisions reflect that trajectory.