I think the next 25 years will witness several major developments:<br /><br />1. Materials: self-healing, shapable, "smart", lighter weight, stronger radiation shielding.<br /><br />2. Nuclear propulsion systems: plasma based (like VASIMR), isotopic fuels (like Americium-242m) cutting travel times to the planets down to weeks and months. Low-mass safe nuclear reactors for space use, advances in laser-solar and perhaps antimatter drives.<br /><br />3. Solutions to pressing medical problems, especially to the wasting effects of microgravity.<br /><br />4. Advanced robots to take on the hazardous duties of space operations, and smart AI probes to complete exploration of the solar system, ahead of human exploration. <br /><br />5. And, yes, private initiatives competing to provide cheaper and safer solutions to space travel. <br /><br />Advanced multi-stage launch systems, a variety of X-prize orbiters and cargo carrier solutions, hopefully, the refining of fuel and radiation shielding from lunar resources. Lunar aluminum and magnesium fuels could produce new line of solid booster rockets for Earth-orbit transfers. <br /><br />The number of space-faring nations will triple, to include "developing" economies like Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa. Manned programs pursued by the US, Europe, Russia, China, India, perhaps Mexico, Brasil and South Africa. International competition and cooperation, depending on the geopolitics back on Earth, will be common, space travel will be on the frontpage weekly. Overall, I think the future is bright, despite the uncertain future of the Shuttle program. <br /><br />Oh yes, space tourism will really take off. I guess $1-5 million tickets for orbital, cislunar travel will be common. It depends on the number of millionaires on Earth and the comfort and safety of travel offered.