CNBC Poll: Should Space Exploration Be Completely Privatized?

NASA: The Next Generation - A CNBC Special Report

NASA is allowing the private sector to take over much of the domain once served by the shuttle. In the near future, private companies will be controlling transport of both cargo and astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Yet, NASA will still be paying for a portion of its operations — including the astronauts' tickets to be aboard a private company's spacecraft.

Many maintain that space exploration, like many other scientific endeavors, should remain a stable, government-subsidized entity.

Give us your opinion.