The space industry is entering a new era of expanded freedom of opportunity to compete unencumbered by government agendas. This freedom carries a price. The political subsidy culture of the past is dying, so failure is not only possible, but likely for the unprepared and inefficient. For more casual observers, the overview of the currents in space commerce history will be invaluable in identifying space-related economic opportunities and will enable those more experienced in the field to re-evaluate their future. The author informs the public of the potential that exists in space-related industries, while making it clear to practitioners that there is a new imperative coming into existence with the decline and marginality of NASA in commercial space. The future economic potential is projected in ways not always perceived by those immersed in day-to-day operations.