In my opinion, the most important thing that NASA is doing right now, in terms of ultimately opening up space for the rest of us, is their first tentative steps toward procuring commercial orbital services. Michael Mealing seems to agree, and has set up a new blog to monitor progress, or lack of it. I’m adding it to the space blogroll.

[Update at 9:20 AM EST]

Michael Belfiore has some industry reaction to the announcement.

Short answer–t/Space is pleased.