Why are people so worried about NASA when it is going to play such a small part in space exploration in the near future?
NASA has played a large and important role in the development of space exploration and related sciences. This will not be forgotten by history.
However, the future is much different. Even if NASA kept up it's involvement at current levels, this will still be tiny compared to what happens around them in space development and exploration.
We already see NASA's role diminishing with the next phase of LEO-based space stations. NASA's plan is to 'rent space' on an as-needed basis, not to have their own space station.
SpaceX will colonize Mars, NASA will be an important, yet small, part in that. The same applies to the Moon.
Within only a few years SpaceX will be delivering payloads to the Moon and Mars on a commercial basis for anyone who wants it. NASA may or may-not use this, but many others will, most of who will be private and commercial operators not funded by NASA.
A number of private companies are building space stations and many are building rockets without NASA funding.
Anyone who want to ride the wave of space exploration now can either be constricted at NASA or expand privately.
Where would you rather be?
