RAWilson and Leary's predictions are being realized.  Space flight and space exploration is becoming democratised moreso as private companies now compete vigorously for space-hungry customers.

Leary would say the DNA directive for human primates to migrate into (SMI2LE) space is on track.      

Private companies are launching a new space race – here's what to expect | The Open University

The space race between the USA and Russia started with a beep from the Sputnik satellite exactly 60 years ago (October 4, 1957) and ended with a handshake in space just 18 years later. The handshake was the start of many decades of international collaboration in space. But over the past decade there has been a huge change.

The space environment is no longer the sole preserve of government agencies. Private companies have entered the exploration domain and are propelling the sector forward more vigorously and swiftly than would be the case if left to governments alone.

It could be argued that a new space race has begun, in which private companies are competing against each other and against government organisations. But this time it is driven by a competition for customers rather than the urge to show dominance by being first to achieve a certain goal.