It shows the success of an unprecedented policy of privatization, with immense, positive consequences on the future of space travel.

American rockets are now three times cheaper than the Russian alternatives, and seven times cheaper than a space shuttle launch.

The rise of near-total privatization as a successful strategy for American space exploration has three big implications for the future.

Saturday’s events demonstrated the effectiveness of broadly privatized launches, and gives hope for cheaper, more efficient space travel in the near future.

Furthermore, with SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets being far cheaper than the Russian Soyuz rockets, many international partners will begin to transition back to American suppliers.

In light of this loss, its higher price tags, and its recent high-profile failure, Boeing will have to greatly improve its operations to participate in the next stage of American space travel, namely the Artemis Program.

The return of American space travel from Cape Canaveral this weekend shows that a smaller, independent company with a better product can beat its bloated, politically connected rival, upset the international status quo and bring an interplanetary future one step closer.

There is a message of hope to be gleaned from this, both about the future of space exploration, and that of the American system as a whole.