The commercial sector of space science is thriving. Exciting examples
come to mind more easily today than ever before, including commercial
spaceflight and launches, ride shares for public-sector missions, and
the deployment of countless satellites that support communications and
human infrastructure. What may be surprising to some is the breadth and
depth of the private sector contribution that goes beyond the largest,
most high-profile examples. Companies, large and small, are doing
fundamental science, and becoming high-quality data providers.