The article explores how the end of NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) space shuttle program will develop a commercial space age. According to the author, this era will focus on areas such as space tourism, commercial space transport to the International Space Station (ISS) and private space stations, and hypersonic transportation that would allow for rapid cross-continental travel. NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program and Commercial Crew Program (CCP) are discussed as initiatives designed around the emerging commercial space industry. Other topics include spaceplanes, space governance, and sonic booms.