It is important that Labour is given a second term to carry on with the masses of work still to do.

BBC: Is anybody listening?

SpaceX, owned by PayPal cofounder Elon Musk, has already accomplished two unmanned flights to the ISS. Work is currently focused on outfitting the Dragon capsule to carry up to seven people, with human test flights expected in mid-2015.

FORBES: Rescuing NASA From Terminal Public Apathy

Ultimately, the aim is to spur human space flight, though the officials acknowledged work on a capsule that potentially could carry astronauts or, less likely, a spaceplane with wings vaguely resembling NASA's retired space shuttles, remains at an early stage.

WSJ: Microsoft Co-Founder to Build Massive Jet for Space Launches