3. NASA Picks the Private Firms That Will Shuttle Americans Into Space

http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/08/03/nasa_picks_boeing_spacex_sierra_nevada_to_develop_shuttles_for_human_spaceflight.html

Will Oremus wrote on August 3rd about why NASA is choosing private companies to "shuttle astronauts into space" and how they are doing this. Oremus introduces by saying that NASA, ever since they shut down their space shuttle program, has been relying on the Russians to send astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station, and that because of this dependence they want private companies to take over the aerospace industry. NASA has given a total of over one billion dollars for three different companies, including Boeing and SpaceX, enabling them to develop their space crafts. The author explains that NASA is helping these companies so that they will not only take commercial customers into space but NASA's crew as well. Oremus proceeds providing some information about each company and finishes with a rather amusing ending that appeals especially to Americans saying that "It's a shame that NASA's own shuttle program was deemed expendable (...) But outsourcing the job to companies like Boeing and SpaceX is a lot better than outsourcing it to Russia."

Will Oremus' purpose in writing this essay is to inform the readers about a recent progression in the aerospace industry and he does so with some subjectivity. The length and language used by Will indicate that his essay was directed to common readers and can be clearly seen with the use of simple words and informal expressions such as "gotten even more of the pie." He also shows his personal thoughts when he disagrees with the differing amount of money each company gained and also when he ends the essay supporting what NASA has been doing.